Bison Range Restoration

Bison Range Information & Hours of Operation


The Séliš, Qlispé, and Ksanka people warmly welcome you to the Bison Range,
and we hope you enjoy your visit!

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FEES – Required for all Scenic Drives & Day Use Areas’

Day Pass Price: $20 per vehicle
Commercial Day Pass*: $60 per vehicle
Annual Pass Price: $60 per vehicle (expires at the end of the calendar year)
CSKT Tribal Members: FREE

* Required for all company owned vehicles offering private tours through the Bison Range as part of a paid service. Drivers are responsible for purchasing the correct pass and failure to do so will be considered a violation of Bison Range regulations

Educational Annual Pass
The ED Annual Pass is only available for organizations that provide educational or care-giving services for specific groups of people, such as students or residents. The pass is a flat fee that covers all vehicles operated by the organization within its class or lower and is valid for one year from purchase date. Any vehicle over 30ft is still subject to road restrictions based on weather condition and must be approved by Bison Range staff before entering the scenic drives. All vehicles must adhere to Bison Range regulations. ED Annual Passes are by application only, please email bisonrange@ckst.org to apply.

Class A (Vehicles of any size): $40
Class B (Vehicles with 15 Seats or Less): $35

 OPEN HOURS

Winter Hours (Nov-April)
Gate: 8am – 6pm
Visitors Center (Museum/Gift Shop): 8am – 5pm
Red Sleep Drive: CLOSED
Buffalo Prairie Drive: 8am – 6pm (Last pass sold at 5pm)

Summer Hours (May-Oct)
Gate: 7am – 8pm
Visitors Center (Museum/Gift Shop): 7am – 7pm (Last pass sold at 6:30pm)
Red Sleep Drive: 7am – 8pm (Last car allowed at 6pm)
Buffalo Prairie Drive: 7am – 8pm (Last car allowed in at 7pm)

The full scenic road, Red Sleep Drive, is closed Nov – April and will open Mother’s Day Weekend, weather permitting.

Annual Gate Closure Dates
Thanksgiving: CLOSED
Christmas Eve (Dec 24th): 8am – 2pm
Christmas Day (Dec 25th): CLOSED
New Years Day (Jan 1st): CLOSED

ADDITIONAL CLOSURES MAY OCCUR DUE TO SAFETY OR WEATHER CONCERNS – ALWAYS CALL AHEAD PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL FOR UPDATES

Contact Information

Bison Range: (406) 644-2211
CSKT Natural Resources Department: (406) 883-2888
Email: CSKTBISONRANGE@GMAIL.COM

Address

58355 Bison Range Rd
Moiese, Mt 59824

Visitor Information

  • The Bison Range is a pay-to-enter, fee-use area only. Visitors are to report to Visitors’ Center to pay for access. The CSKT Conservation Permit does not allow access to the Bison Range.
  • Carrying, possessing, or discharging firearms, fireworks, or explosives is prohibited. The use or possession of cross bows, bows and arrows, air guns, spears, gigs, or other weapons is prohibited.
  • Disturbing, injuring, spearing, poisoning, destroying, collecting or attempting to disturb, destroy or collect any plant, animal (parts like antlers) is prohibited.
  • Engaging in hunting activities is prohibited.
  • The Bison Range is open during daylight hours only, weather and road conditions permitting. Closing times vary seasonally and will be posted. It is unlawful to enter areas that are posted closed or gated closed unless authorized.
  • The use of motorized vehicles off designated open roads is prohibited.
  • Walking away from vehicles is allowable only along designated trails, picnic areas, sanitation stations, and fishing areas. Please remain at your vehicle for your safety.
  • Vehicles over 30 feet long and those towing trailers, along with motorcycles, ATVs, and bicycles are not allowed on Red Sleep or Prairie Drive.
  • All passengers must be seated inside enclosed passenger vehicles while the vehicle is in motion. Passengers riding in the bed of a pickup vehicle is prohibited.
  • Stopping to view animals is allowed on the auto tour drives, as long as traffic is not impeded.
  • It is prohibited to approach animals at all times. Persons must remain at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears, wolves, and mountain lions, and at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from all other animals including bison, deer and elk.
  • All pets must be on a leash and under control at all times within the Bison Range. Please be respectful & pick up after your pet. The use of drones is prohibited unless authorized by Tribal Council special permitting.

A History of Conservation

The Tribes have always been good stewards of the land. We maintain the most stringent air quality standard available through the EPA. We established the nation’s first Tribal Wilderness. We have set aside tens of thousands of acres as grizzly bear, elk, and bighorn sheep conservation areas. We have re-established populations of trumpeter swans and peregrine falcons. We are working toward restoring leopard frogs.  Our efforts to restore the Jocko River and our acquisition and restoration of fish and wildlife habitat are models cited nationwide. And our focus on conservation is not new. Tribal members were directly involved in saving the bison as a viable wildlife species, and we will carry on for the generations yet to come our ancient relationship of respect and reverence for qweyqwáy.

Xest Sxlxalt, Kiʾsuʾk kyukyit! – good day!

Bison Range Map

Hello everyone! To get ready for our upcoming summer season, we will be closing parts of Prairie Drive for culvert repairs, starting on Monday, 03/25/24. The first 3 miles of the scenic drive will remain open, with sections opening up farther down as they are finished. As always, please be sure to call 406-644-2211 at least one hour before you plan to arrive for road and weather conditions. You can also email us at BisonRange@cskt.org for any questions.”

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