With the return of spring, the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area between Ronan and St. Ignatius is an ideal place to bird watch and rest for a moment while traveling along U.S. Highway 93.
Pull over onto one of the numerous turnoffs in the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks management area. It spans more than 3,000 acres on both sides of the highway and Secondary Route 212 within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Enjoy spring birding at its prime while overlooking pothole ponds and wetlands where hundreds of 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. Families can learn about the habitat conditions that support game birds, waterfowl and non-game wildlife.
In the morning and evening light, the surrounding vistas reflect on the waters, creating an outdoor wonderland. 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.