Red Rock Lakes Wilderness
The rugged Centennial Mountains, rising to more than 9,000 feet, hang above the Centennial Valley wetlands and provide a dramatic backdrop for the remote Red Rock Lakes Wilderness. It was here, in the early 1930’s, among the inherent solitude and expansive wetlands that the last remaining trumpeter swans (thought to be extinct) were found nesting. Shortly thereafter, the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was established and today, a little over 60% of the Refuge is Wilderness. Although many visitors come solely to catch a glimpse of the elegant trumpeter swans or a moose, this Wilderness often surprises visitors with its remoteness and fantastic scenic and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| State | Montana |
| Size | 32,350 acres |
| Designated | 1976, by Congress |
| Center point | 44.63° N, 111.76° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 17) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 4 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 13.4 miSherwood, Joseph, House and Store ↗Island Park, ID
- 14.1 miCrabtree, Glen and Addie, Cabin ↗Island Park, ID
- 15 miHutchins Bridge ↗Cameron, MT
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Red Rock Lakes Wilderness?
32,350 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Red Rock Lakes Wilderness?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Red Rock Lakes Wilderness in?
Montana.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Red Rock Lakes Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1976.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Red Rock Lakes Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Red Rock Lakes Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 44.630° N, 111.761° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Are there historic places near Red Rock Lakes Wilderness?
The National Register has 3 listings within 15 miles, including Sherwood, Joseph, House and Store and Crabtree, Glen and Addie, Cabin.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.