By editor
Big Horn County, Decker
In the dry, broken country of southeastern Montana, the Tongue River provides a ribbon of green life. The river corridor, anchored by the Tongue River Reservoir, is a critical oasis for both resident and migrating birds in a landscape otherwise dominated by sagebrush and ponderosa pine.
The reservoir itself is a major draw for waterbirds. During the spring and fall migrations, it hosts significant numbers of Common Loons, Western Grebes, and a variety of diving ducks. The mature cottonwood galleries along the river below the dam are exceptionally productive for songbirds. Here, birders can find species with eastern affinities that follow the river corridors into Montana, such as the Baltimore Oriole, the Red-headed Woodpecker, and the Brown Thrasher.
Visitor Access
Tongue River Reservoir State Park is managed by Montana FWP. Entry is free for Montana residents who have paid the state parks fee; non-residents pay an $8 vehicle fee. The park offers multiple campgrounds, boat ramps, and access to the shoreline. The river corridor below the dam can be accessed via county roads and designated fishing access sites.