Take a break along U.S. Highway 93 by visiting the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area between Ronan and St. Ignatius.
Pull over onto one of the numerous turnoffs in the Fish, Wildlife and Parks management area spanning more than 3,000 acres on both sides of Highway 93 and Secondary Route 212 within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Enjoy spring birding at its prime while overlooking pothole ponds and wetland where hundreds of bird species have been recorded, including numerous ducks, double-crested cormorants, geese, grebes, short-eared owls and nesting blue herons. Winter raptor viewing is nationally acclaimed.
The morning and evening light and surrounding vistas reflect on the waters, creating a wonderland where families can learn about the habitat conditions that support game birds, waterfowl and non-game wildlife year round.
Along with an abundance of birds, keep an eye out for deer mouse, shrew, ermine, vole, muskrat, turtle and deer while taking an interpretive walk.
There are opportunities for hunting and fishing, but make sure to obtain the proper stamps through the FWP as well as the Flathead Indian Reservation.
How to get there: From Kalispell, take U.S. Highway 93 south through Polson and Ronan. The Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area is about 20 miles south of Polson. Accesses are off Highway 93 and Secondary Route 212.