Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
284 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
64
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Douglas Westonson
Woodinville, WA19 contributions
Aug 2022
It's still closed as of August 7th. Just writing this as an update, it says so on Google but incase you check here instead. They are closed for renovations, they are unsure when they will reopen again. Be sure to check the RMEF page about the visitor center before stopping over.
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn C
Washington, IL87 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Small visitor center has a couple of short films and several taxidermy animals to look at. We spent about 25 minutes here looking around. Nice little place to stop for a few minutes if you have extra time.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Docmarx
Texas67 contributions
The Elk Country Visitor Center is a beautiful facility that educates you about the behavior and habitat of elk and the other animals that share their environment, and the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to buy habitat and reintroduce the species into its former range.
The exhibits are interactive and fun, and the mounts are amazing. I had a few misgivings about the prominence of major sponsor Cabela's in the displays, and as a non-hunter, it's hard sometimes not to be dismayed by the message, "I'll never forgete the day I saw this beautiful elk and killed it."
Nonetheless, there's no point in being a bleeding heart about it. While many of us love animals, it's been the hunters for the past century who have been willing to put up the cold cash for the research and habitat preservation to bring the elk and many other species back from the edge of extinction. The Elk Visitor Center celebrates that achievement and projects the work far into the future. Good for them. Because of this work, all of us benefit.
The exhibits are interactive and fun, and the mounts are amazing. I had a few misgivings about the prominence of major sponsor Cabela's in the displays, and as a non-hunter, it's hard sometimes not to be dismayed by the message, "I'll never forgete the day I saw this beautiful elk and killed it."
Nonetheless, there's no point in being a bleeding heart about it. While many of us love animals, it's been the hunters for the past century who have been willing to put up the cold cash for the research and habitat preservation to bring the elk and many other species back from the edge of extinction. The Elk Visitor Center celebrates that achievement and projects the work far into the future. Good for them. Because of this work, all of us benefit.
Written 29 August 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaVue2
Davenport, WA121 contributions
The Elk Country Visitor Center, which also houses the headquarters for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, is located in Missoula north of I-90. I took my two grandchildren there in August 2006 we all thoroughly enjoyed it. There is no fee and there was much to see and learn. It is a beautiful building with many statues and mounts. Everything was new, crisp, clean and well done. Very educational in many formats. Don't miss the area behind the huge diorama like we almost did. Hunters will love this place! The trophy mounts are amazing! There's also a nice gift shop and friendly staff. This was a great place to visit!
Written 19 August 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Constance P
Lima, MT13 contributions
Aug 2011
Attitude is not conservation, all about getting biggest trophies and killing all predators. Depressing.
Written 2 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Blackfoot, ID47 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
The place is amazing. Many many elk heads hang on the wall and there are several full elk body mounts. Additionally there are bufflo and mountain sheep mounts that are very impressive. The facility is large, well lit and clean. Staffers are knowledgable and helpful.
Definately worth seeing when staying in or passing through Missoula. And it is just a couple of blocks off of I-90 for those just passing by Missoula.
Definately worth seeing when staying in or passing through Missoula. And it is just a couple of blocks off of I-90 for those just passing by Missoula.
Written 9 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suts11
Anchorage, AK103 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Free to visit the RMEF facility. Learn about historical territory of the elk, labors to reintroduce the elk into habitats and a very nice displays. Facility itself is very attractive and clean; also a small gift shop. There is a 1/2 mile walking trail within its 10 acre lot behind the main facility. Worth the stop!
Written 28 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JFarley1971
Burbank, CA4 contributions
Apr 2020
Visited here on our past trip to Missoula, it was awhile ago but wanted to just say how great of a time we had. Very interesting and hope to visit again soon when we can!
Written 25 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan R
McComb, OH324 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Our travel schedule was open for a few hours in the morning so we thought we’d give it a try based on other recommendations. Even though we don’t hunt we found the RMEF to be extremely informative and educational. Enjoyed the videos and the displays were top notch.
The foundation does an excellent job of explaining how hunters contribute to conservation efforts. The short walking trail was also interesting and gave us a chance to get in a nice walk on a beautiful Montana morning.
The foundation does an excellent job of explaining how hunters contribute to conservation efforts. The short walking trail was also interesting and gave us a chance to get in a nice walk on a beautiful Montana morning.
Written 24 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marjorie G
328 contributions
Aug 2019
My husband is a member, so when I went up to Hamilton to watch my 5-year-old grandson, he suggested we check this out.
Who would have thought that the ONE room, alone, would provide a 5-year-old with TWO HOURS of entertainment! Of course, he's a huge nature fan.
The one room has a panorama of animals that goes along with a screen showing what each animal is. So, it was like a scavenger hunt for each animal that you don't see at first. And the screens give great information on each animal.
There is also a room that highlights sounds, shows pellets you can touch, as well as skeletons. Another room shows migration of the Montana herds.
Also, do note that there is no charge to visit these rooms.
We were greeted as soon as we came in by one of the employees, who came and put a cardboard hat of antlers on my grandson, and gave him some stickers. When we were done, as per request for a particular t-shirt from my husband from the gift shop, I looked at what was hanging, and didn't find the t-shirt, so I called him to see what other shirt he wanted. I then looked at one for my grandson. While still shopping, one of the other employees came up and said she heard my conversation, and asked what shirt it was. When I told her, she pointed to the wall, and there it was. (Never mind my lack of awareness, lol..)
As a member, if you shop, you get a discount, too.
Overall, the trip was worth the drive, and my grandson was still talking about it, days later. I'm glad we took the day to check it out.
Who would have thought that the ONE room, alone, would provide a 5-year-old with TWO HOURS of entertainment! Of course, he's a huge nature fan.
The one room has a panorama of animals that goes along with a screen showing what each animal is. So, it was like a scavenger hunt for each animal that you don't see at first. And the screens give great information on each animal.
There is also a room that highlights sounds, shows pellets you can touch, as well as skeletons. Another room shows migration of the Montana herds.
Also, do note that there is no charge to visit these rooms.
We were greeted as soon as we came in by one of the employees, who came and put a cardboard hat of antlers on my grandson, and gave him some stickers. When we were done, as per request for a particular t-shirt from my husband from the gift shop, I looked at what was hanging, and didn't find the t-shirt, so I called him to see what other shirt he wanted. I then looked at one for my grandson. While still shopping, one of the other employees came up and said she heard my conversation, and asked what shirt it was. When I told her, she pointed to the wall, and there it was. (Never mind my lack of awareness, lol..)
As a member, if you shop, you get a discount, too.
Overall, the trip was worth the drive, and my grandson was still talking about it, days later. I'm glad we took the day to check it out.
Written 8 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there live animals, or is it all museum taxidermy?
Written 21 March 2019
It's all taxidermy (and very impressive ones!)...no live animals.
Written 24 March 2019
How much time is recommended to spend at the RMEF?
Written 28 February 2019
How much to get in? Are you open on Monday 4/25?
Written 23 April 2016
free to get in and they are open every day but some holidays
Written 25 April 2016
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