Benton Lake NWR- Accessible Bird-watching Location

In my opinion Spring is the best time of the year for those of us who enjoy birding. Fortunately there are many locations in Montana that are easily accessible for disabled birders.  One of our favorites is Benton Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, located a few miles northeast of Great Falls Montana. Spring is a good time to visit Benton Lake to see the migratory birds who are passing through, birds who come to raise their families and birds that live on the refuge year round.  Prairie Marsh Drive, which has signs to explain what you are seeing, provides a look at all of the habitats of the refuge from the comfort of your car. Your car becomes something of a mobile bird blind as you visit each stop along the drive. The handicapped accessible boardwalk, Prairie Marsh Boardwalk, allows you to get an closeup look at the marsh habitat.  

There is a visitor center that is open weekdays, except holidays, where you can get information about recent sightings and answers to your questions.  Handicapped accessible restrooms are located both inside the visitor center and outdoors in the parking area.

Prairie Marsh Boardwalk

The end of Prairie Marsh Boardwalk, a unique feature at Benton Lake NWR  that allows visitors to actually get right out into the marsh.

This photo was taken from the car with a simple digital camera with a short optical zoom.  This gives you some idea of  how your car can be a great bird blind, if you just sit quietly and watch.

We have visited Benton Lake several times during the spring and summer.  It is open year round, but Prairie Marsh drive is not always passable, especially in the winter.  To make the most of your visit I recommend visiting the refuge's website.  Besides photos of the refuge, there are downloadable brochures and maps as well as contact information. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/benton_lake/

Access Information for Montana State Parks

I have always been proud of my home state, Montana.  One source of that pride is way Montana takes pride in our public lands.  Our state parks and fishing access sites provide visitors with recreation, culture and education.  When I started this blog, I began searching for websites to recommend for visitors with disabilities.  The first one I would like to recommend is the website for Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/ctb/.  This agency has done an excellent job of providing information about accessibility in state parks and fishing access.  I urge you to visit the site before making plans for summer outings.

Welcome to MTBarrierFree

When we were younger, my husband Frank and I considered Montana our back yard.  Every chance we got, we were out fishing, camping or exploring in Montana.  Then things changed.  Frank, who was diagnosed with diabetes more than two decades ago, started to suffer from complications.  Nerve damage in his hands and feet made it difficult to ride his motorcycle. That meant the outings would have to be limited to car trips, not too bad.  Gradually our outings became fewer and shorter, and a few years ago, when his kidneys failed, and he started dialysis, pleasure travel almost ceased to exist for us. Our world was shrinking.

Last year Frank received a battery operated scooter from the Veterans Administration. During the time he has spent learning to navigate his new mode of transportation, I have been researching places that we can visit that he can easily access.  True, there are many places that he cannot reach, but I was amazed at just how accessible Montana can be.  It is my hope that I can share this information for others with scooters, wheelchairs or other accessibility tools.