Bison Range opens Red Sleep Mountain drive for the year

MOIESE - The National Bison Range will open the 19-mile Red Sleep Mountain Drive on Saturday, May 10 for the 2008 summer season, weather and road conditions permitting, of course. And with this being the Centennial year of the Refuge, so there's no better time to visit this special place.

This drive is a 19-mile, one-way gravel road, which rises 2,000 feet and takes about two hours to complete. Visitors will need to start this drive no later than 6 p.m. to finish the loop before the main gate closes at dark. Trailers and other towed units are not allowed on the Red Sleep Mountain Drive. The shorter, graveled West Loop and Prairie Drives are open for trailers, buses and large motor homes.

Starting May 10, the Visitor Center will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The main gate will open daily by 7 a.m. and close at 9:30 p.m.

Fees will go into effect when Red Sleep opens. A $5 per car fee is charged for use of the drives. There is no charge for the picnic and day use areas or for educational groups. There is a Bison Range season pass available for $15. The new Federal Recreation Passes, the older Golden Passes and the Federal Waterfowl Stamp are accepted for admission and are available at the Visitor Center. To get more information about hours and activities, call the National Bison Range at 406-644-2211. For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov