Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 73 THE NATIONAL BISON RANGE SCENIC BYWAY Like mountains? Like buffalo? Want to see both at the same time? en the National Bison Scenic Byway is the drive for you. Offering two separate roads, this scenic byway follows 19-mile Red Sleep Mountain Road or Prairie Drive, which is five miles long. e drive begins near Polson and runs through the Bison Range, which is home to the largest herd (about 300-500 individual bison) of free-roaming buffalo outside of Yellowstone. As you drive, you'll enjoy views of the Mission Mountains, the Mission Valley, the Salish Mountains, and the Flathead River. FAST FACTS • ROAD LENGTH 24 Miles • PAVED OR GRAVEL? Gravel • DO YOU NEED 4WD? No • TRAFFIC Light/Moderate • VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS Trailers are not allowed • ACCESS DATES Nineteen miles of the road (the mountain portion) is closed during the winter. e lower route is open year-round, weather permitting. LAKE KOOCANUSA SCENIC BYWAY e Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway runs from Eureka to Libby, offering 67 miles of forest and lake views. Located in remote Northwest Montana, this is an excellent year-round drive that's easy to access with a trailer in tow. Designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway, Lake Kooca- nusa Scenic Byway is fully paved and takes drivers along the eastern shoreline of the famous Lake Koocanusa, a long, finger- shaped lake created by the completion of the Libby Dam along the Kootenai River. You'll also enjoy views of Koocanusa Bridge, which, at 2,437 feet long and 270 feet high, is the longest and tallest bridge in Montana. FAST FACTS • ROAD LENGTH 60 Miles • NOTABLE SCENERY e Whitefish Mountains, the Libby Dam, the Kootenai River, and Lake Koocanusa • PAVED OR GRAVEL? Paved • DO YOU NEED 4WD? No • TRAFFIC Light/Moderate • VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS Trailers are allowed, no vehicle restrictions • ACCESS DATES Year-round access 5 6 THE NATIONAL BISON RANGE SCENIC BYWAY LAKE KOOCANUSA SCENIC BYWAY CONTINUED

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