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Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk

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This information is a public record of the 2005 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Backcountry Trail
  • Length
    0.2 miles
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back
 (1 review)

This boardwalk trail offers a unique nature walk that transitions from shortgrass native prairie to a nationally-significant wetland ecosystem. The Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is home to an array of wildlife; and the boardwalk provides an excellent opportunity to observe the wealth of plant communities, shorebirds, and mammals. Although just a small piece (less than a half mile long) of the Refuge itself, the boardwalk is a key part of the visitor experience.

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Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
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Location: In Benton Lake NWR, north of Great Falls.

  • States: Montana
  • Counties: Cascade

This outstanding nature walk transitions from shortgrass native prairie to a wetland ecosystem. The boardwalk provides visitors an opportunity to observe a variety of plant communities, neotropical birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and mammals. This walk compliments Benton Lake NWR's auto tour and allows visitors a chance to get out of their vehicles and observe wildlife up close.

Accessibility Information

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Reviews

Jim Walla
Jim Walla
Nov 9, 2018
Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk - Benton Lake NWR - 7-20-18

This boardwalk trail is off of the auto tour route in Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The boardwalk takes you through a grassy area to a marsh. The boardwalk is wide and flat and in good shape. As with similar trails at other wildlife refuges, it provides birders and photographers easy access to good habitat. At the end of the boardwalk, there is a small viewing area with a bench.

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Allowed Uses:

Hiking/Walking

Public Contact

Dave Gillund
USFWS
922 Bootlegger Trail
Great Falls, MT 59404
[email protected] • (406) 727-7400
bentonlake.fws.gov

Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.

More Details

  • Elevation (low): 3640
  • Elevation (high): 3640
  • Elevation (cumulative): --
  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • Surface (primary): Boardwalk
  • Surfaces (additional): --
  • Tread Width (average): 48"
  • Tread Width (minimum): --
  • Running length (minimum): --
  • Tread Grade (average, percent): --
  • Tread Grade (maximum): 1
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Cross-slope (average, percent): --
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    Jun 3, 2005
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