Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Federal wildlife sanctuary in Great Falls area, Montana.

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a federally protected area near Great Falls in Montana with wetlands, grasslands, and marshes. The refuge covers thousands of acres and sits at the base of mountain ranges that shape the landscape.

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1929 as a federal refuge in northern Cascade County, about 12 miles north of Great Falls. It protects a shallow 6,000-acre marsh and shortgrass prairie on the western edge of the northern Great Plains. The refuge is the centerpiece of a complex that also covers the Swan Valley, Blackfoot Valley and Rocky Mountain Front areas, with headquarters in Great Falls.

The refuge serves as a learning space where visitors can understand ecosystem conservation and watch native species in their natural behaviors. The observation points and walking paths help people connect with the land in a direct, hands-on way.

The refuge entrance lies about 12 miles north of Great Falls, reached by road through open prairie. A self-guided auto tour route runs past the marsh with pull-outs for spotting waterfowl, and walking is allowed on designated trails. Spring and fall migrations bring the largest concentrations of birds, while summer offers nesting colonies.

Franklin's gulls nest here in colonies that can hold more than 10,000 nests, and nearly 90 of the roughly 240 bird species recorded on the refuge are known to nest within its boundaries. The prairie sections also hold burrowing owls and sharp-tailed grouse.