Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is a United States national recreation area located 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) north of Missoula, Montana in the Rattlesnake Creek drainage area. It is administered by the Lolo National Forest and is adjacent to the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Both the recreation area and the wilderness area were established by the U.S. Congress on October 19, 1980.
There are more than 73 miles of hiking trails in the recreation area many of which are also open to horseback riders, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers.
Biology and ecology
Flora
Though host to invasive plant species including leafy spurge,United States Forest Service. Summary of Direct and Indirect Weed and Environment Consequences Specific to alternative 2. Lolo National Forest (N.F.), Integrated Weed Management: Environmental Impact Statement, page 61. United States Forest Service, 2007. the Rattlesnake contains native plant communities such as Sphagnum riparium at Shoo Fly Meadows, one of the only Sphagnum bogs in the Western United States.United States Forest Service. Rattlesnake Creek. Lolo National Forest (N.F.), Suitability Study and EIS for Eight Rivers on the Lolo National Forest (N.F.) for Inclusion National Wild and Scenic River (NWSR) System, Lewis & Clark County, Missoula County, Powell County, Ravalli County, Sanders County: Environmental Impact Statement, page 3-6. United States Forest Service, 1996. Native orchid species may be found in the recreation area, including Calypso bulbosa, Cypripedium montanum, and Corallorhiza striata.Edlund, Eric. Rattlesnake Orchids. Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Group. https://rattlesnakecreekwatershedgroup.org/category/uncategorized/.
Fauna Popular with fishermen, Rattlesnake Creek hosts bull trout, cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish.Wilderness Adventures Press, Inc. Montana's Best Fishing Waters: 170 Detailed Maps of 34 of the Best Rivers, Streams, and Lakes, page 115. Wilderness Adventures Press, Inc, Belgrade, Montana. 2006. Along the trail, green comma and western tiger swallowtail butterflies may be found, amongst others.Montana Birding Trail. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness. http://www.montanabirdingtrail.org/maps/r1/t1/s10/r1t1s10.php#content, accessed 6 September 2016. Mammals which frequent the National Recreation Area include elk, white-tailed deer, mountain goat, and grizzly bear.United States Forest Service. Amendment 12: Wild and Scenic Rivers Eligibility Study. Lolo National Forest (N.F.) Plan: Environmental Impact Statement, page 15. United States Forest Service, 1986. Birdwatchers visiting the Rattlesnake may find over forty bird speciesWalker, Carter G. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness. Moon Montana & Wyoming: Including Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier National Parks. Avalon Travel, 2014. including pileated woodpecker, great grey owl, ruffed grouse,Johnsgard, Paul. Lolo National Forest. Rocky Mountain Birds, page 56. Zea E-Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, 2011. and American dipper.Robbins, Chuck. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. Great Places: Montana: A Recreational Guide to Montana's Public Lands and Historic Places for Birding, Hiking, Photography, Fishing, Hunting, and Camping, page 71. Wilderness Adventures Press, Belgrade, Montana, 2008 Visitors should exercise caution, for black bear and mountain lion frequent the area.Robbins, Chuck. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. Birding Trails Montana: 240 Birding Locations Across the Big Sky State, page 91. Wilderness Adventures Press (Sandhill Crane Press), Belgrade, Montana, 2014.
References
External links
Joseph A. Mussulman Papers, 1966-1992 (University of Montana Archives) Joseph Mussulman Interview, September 9, 2006 (University of Montana Archives)