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Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge.
General information.
Region: Region 2--West Central.
Dominant Setting: prairie/plains, forest, lake, river/stream.
Physical Address: 4567 Wildfowl Lane, Stevensville, MT, 59870.
Manager: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Amenities: accessible bathrooms, flush toilets, pit toilets, trash containers, drinkable water, parking.
This site is open year-round.
Pets are allowed (on leash).
Available Activities.
Accessible activities: fishing, hiking, hunting, learning, picnicking, nature viewing.
Non-accessible activities: fishing, hiking, hunting, learning, picnicking, nature viewing.
Accessible fishing information.
Site name: Wildlife Viewing Area.
Type of site: river.
Accessible access to water: shore fishing, Fishing platform.
Other features: none.
Comment: Accessible fishing opportunities are located at the river overlook (.5 miles from trailhead) and covered pavilion (450' from trailhead). Both sites are along the main trail.
Accessible hiking information.
Trail name: Visitor Center Nature Trail.
Type of trail: loop trail.
Trail surface: paved, surface is firm, surface is stable.
Trail dimensions: minimum clear tread width of 60 inches, maximum running slope of 6.7 degrees, maximum cross slope of 5 degrees, trail has 60 by 60 inch passing/ resting/ turn-around areas, average distance between passing areas is 600 feet.
Length: 0.25 to 0.5 mile.
Other trail features: benches, boardwalks and/or bridges.
Comment: The trail offers great opportunities to view waterfowl. There is also an accessible telescope located along the path. The amphitheatre can be found at the beginning of the trail near the Visitor Center and has accessible seating for at least eight.
Route name: Visitor Center Parking to Nature Trail + Amphitheatre.
Access route surface: paved, firm, stable.
Access route dimensions: minimum clear tread width of 60 inches, maximum running slope of 3%.
Trail name: Wild Life Viewing Area Trail and Trailhead.
Type of trail: destination trail (Group picnic/education shelter and river overlook).
Trail surface: paved, surface is firm, surface is stable.
Trail dimensions: minimum clear tread width of 108 inches, maximum running slope of 3.5 degrees, maximum cross slope of 2.6 degrees, trail has 60 by 60 inch passing/ resting/ turn-around areas, average distance between passing areas is 600 feet, there are tread obstacles, maximum tread obstacle height is 1 inches.
Length: 0.5 to 1 mile.
Other trail features: benches.
Comment: The group picnic area is located at the end of the .5 mile trail. The river overlook area next to the group picnic shelter is accessible for fishing and nature viewing. There is also a pavilion with bench seating located about 450 feet down the trail for wildlife watching and fishing.
Route name: Wildlife Viewing Area--Handicap Parking.
Access route surface: paved, firm, stable.
Access route dimensions: minimum clear tread width of 44 inches, maximum running slope of 4.4%, maximum cross slope of 8.7%.
Route name: Wildlife Viewing Area--Main Trail.
Access route surface: paved, firm, stable.
Access route dimensions: minimum clear tread width of 108 inches, maximum running slope of 3.5%, maximum cross slope of 2.6%.
Route name: Wildlife Viewing Area--Parking Lot.
Access route surface: gravel, firm, stable.
Access route dimensions: minimum clear tread width of 108 inches, maximum running slope of 4.4%, maximum cross slope of 3.5%, tread obstacles up to 1 inches.
Accessible hunting information.
Site name: Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge.
Type of game: waterfowl, big and/or small game.
Site features: hunting blinds.
Comment: Waterfowl hunting is allowed from established blinds throughout the refuge. Archery deer hunting is also permitted. There are accessible areas and established blinds for hunting activities. Please contact the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge for more information on these opportunities.
Accessible educational opportunities.
Site name: Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge Interpretive Signs.
Type of educational opportunity: educational program, interpretive sign.
Comment: Several accessible interpretive signs can be found throughout the sight along the roads and at the main trailhead.
Site name: Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
Type of educational opportunity: visitor center, educational program.
Comment: The Visitor Center has a variety of educational displays, picknicking, amphitheatre, pavilion and nature trail.
Route name: Visitor Center Parking.
Access route surface: paved, firm, stable.
Access route dimensions: minimum clear tread width of 48 inches, maximum running slope of 3%.
Accessible picnicking information.
Site name: Wildlife Viewing Area Group Picnic Shelter.
Estimated number of accessible picnic tables: 1.
Picnic table information: fixed picnic tables, along accessible routes, picnic tables have wheelchair seating spaces.
Other features: sheltered area.
Comment: The picnic shelter is located at the end of the main trail, about .5 miles from the trailhead.
Accessible nature viewing information.
Site name: Wildlife Viewing Area.
Features: wildlife viewing blinds, established viewpoints, the viewpoints offer a clear view of the attraction between 32 to 51 inches from the ground.
There is a good chance of seeing: waterfowl, birds, small mammals, large mammals, amphibians, reptiles.
Comment: There are good opportunities to see wildlife along the entire length of the main trail.
Location pictures.
1: Picture 1--A short decorative concrete bench located along the main paved trail. The bench does not have a back support, arm support, or space for a wheelchair beside it.
2: Picture 2--A sheltered viewing platform with benches on two sides and a side rail on one side overlooking a pond. The platform is located along the main paved path near the parking area.
3: Picture 3--The Education/Picnic Shelter consisting of a large sheltered area lined with built-in benches with back support, and a large picnic table with a wheelchair seating space. A concrete sidewalk connects the Education Center to the main paved path.
4: Picture 4--The river overlook at the end of the paved path. There is a bench and large paved area.
5: Picture 5--The 9-foot main paved trail.
6: Picture 6--The amphitheatre located near the visitors center features benches with back supports and plenty of room for wheelchair seating.
7: Picture 7--The trailhead for the newly added Nature Trail is located at the visitors center. The entire trail is paved and provides great opportunities to view a variety of bird species.
8: Picture 8--Accessible telescope located along the nature trail.
9: Picture 9--Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center entrance.
10: Picture 10--Accessible hunting blind located within the wildlife refuge. Please contact the refuge for more information about the use of these sites, and FWP for hunting regulations.
Additional information about this location.
1: In the Wildlife Viewing Area, parts of the pavement on the main trail are raised 1 to 1.5 inches because of tree roots. These raised area can easily be avoided because the paved path is so wide (9 feet wide).
User comments about this location.
There are currently no user comments about this site.
Download coordinates to Google Earth or a GPS.
Manager's contact information.
Managed by: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Address: Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge,
4567 Wildfowl Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870
Phone Number: (406) 777-5552
TDD phone number is not available.
Visit the manager's website.
Information source and currentness.
Source of Information: MonTECH
S.Hammer
Information Date: 4/25/2011
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