The different units are scattered throughout the Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, and Pleasant Valley. They include habitats of open water and open grasslands, cliff tops and tree tops, pine groves, and quaking aspen groves. Bison herds are protected and supported within them.
The Ninepipe, Swan River, and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges are not permanently staffed. However, the Lost Trail Refuge and National Bison Range both have interpretive visitor centers and naturalists.