- Red Rock Lakes Wilderness
Infobox_protected_area | name = Red Rock Lakes Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib
caption =
locator_x = 65
locator_y = 35
location =Montana , USA
nearest_city = Dillon, MT
lat_degrees = 44
lat_minutes = 37
lat_seconds =
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 111
long_minutes = 44
long_seconds =
long_direction = W
area = 32,350 acres
(130 km²)
established =1976
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body =U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The Red Rock Lakes Wilderness is within theRed Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestMontana ,United States . Thewilderness occupies more than 3/4 of the refuge and was set aside to enhance species preservation, especially for suchwaterfowl as thetrumpeter swan . By the mid 1930's, there were an estimated 69 trumpeter swans remaining in thelower 48 states and more than half of them were found in the region that is now the wilderness. The creation of the Wildlife Refuge marks one of the earliest attempts to ensure protection for a fast disappearing species and the wilderness designation enhances this habitat's protection status.U.S. Wilderness Area s do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, includingbicycle s. Althoughcamping andfishing are allowed with proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no logging ormining , in compliance with the 1964Wilderness Act . Wilderness areas withinNational Forest s andBureau of Land Management areas also allowhunting in season. However, due to the sensitivity and continued endangerment of the trumpeter Swan, no hunting is permitted within this wilderness.Consisting of numerous lakes, marshes and other wetlands, a visitor is more likely to see
sandhill crane s,great blue heron s andduck s than the elusive trumpeter swan, even though their numbers have increased substantially.Moose ,fox ,porcupine andskunk are found year round whileelk ,mule deer andpronghorn also frequent the wilderness. Though less common, black bears are sometimes seen here.On the western boundary of what is collectively known as the
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem , the wilderness is also adjacent toGallatin National Forest . Nocamping is permitted in this wilderness but there are two nearby campgrounds available in the refuge section not designated as wilderness.Hiking is permitted except in some areas during specific times of the year to protect wildlife.External links
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