Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge

Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area containing wetlands and grasslands in north-central Montana near the Canadian border. The landscape comprises roughly 1,300 acres shaped by glacial activity in a natural basin.

The refuge was established in 1938 to protect water supplies and create nesting grounds for migratory birds. This creation emerged from broader conservation initiatives of that era.

The Anna Scherlie Homestead Shack from 1913 remains visible within the refuge, showing how settlers lived in early 20th-century Montana. This structure connects visitors to the people who shaped this land a century ago.

Visitors should park at the entrance gate since motor vehicles are not permitted inside the refuge. Walking through the area provides the best way to explore the trails and observe the landscape.

The natural basin in the glacially carved valley experiences seasonal water level changes that attract many duck species during spring migration. These fluctuations also include extended dry periods that reshape the habitat over time.

Location: Montana

Inception: 1938

Operator: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/black_coulee

GPS coordinates: 48.68610,-108.42100

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:05