Our Montana Lodge Press Releases

Even in our unique location - on the backside of nowhere - Elk Lake Resort still manages to 'make' the news. Below are a few 'noteworthy mentions'.

Elk Lake Resort

In the 1940's, Acme Press Association, Inc. produced a guide for the American Way of Entertainment. In a Click Magazine article from around 1941, Elk Lake (then known as Selby Resort) made news for the first time - at least as far as I can tell. The several page spread wasn't because the area was such a hit, no, it was the visitor who drew most of the attention. And with good reason, when you realize the visitor was none other than Jane Russell. Read the entire article!

More and more places are claiming to be eco-friendly - from homes to 'eco-lodges'. But, back when few private homeowners, and even fewer businesses were even thinking about alternative forms of energy, Elk Lake Resort was well on its way to having an efficient, eco-friendly alternative energy setup. Excerpts from a feature article in Home Power Magazine tells more about the process.

In the March / April 2005 issue of Trail Rider Magazine, Kent and Charlene Krone talk about their favorite Montana 'bed & barns'. Elk Lake Resort is on their list. Read an excerpt from the Trail Rider Magazine article.

After the current owners, Craig and Lerrina Collins, purchased Elk Lake Resort, the Bozeman Chronicle and Idaho Falls Post Register ran a brief press release.

In one of the more 'interesting' topics covered by news reporting agencies in and around the valley, a vole takes center stage in an article in Stanford Alumni magazine. This report covers the research of Stanford student, Paula Spaeth. Another article on our site also covers her experiences - and something of what she learned during her summers in the Centennial.

Birdfinders Tour: In June 2006, Elk Lake Resort had the privilege of hosting a birdfinders group one night of their flying trip through Montana. The group of birders, mostly from England, covered nearly all four corners of the state. Of course, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was on their list of places to see. According to their trip journal, ". . .We ended our day at Elk Lake Lodge, enjoying outstanding hospitality and lakefront cabins. A dawn walk produced Lincoln's Sparrow, followed by a scrumptious homemade breakfast. We then headed for Yellowstone National Park. . ."

SnoWest Magazine - October 2006: In the second of a three part article on Island Park, Idaho, SnoWest magazine looked into the 'Fringe Benefits' of the Island Park area. Elk Lake Resort - and the surrounding area - is included. Read excerpts from the SnoWest article.

SnoWest Magazine - November 2006: In the third and final issue on snowmobiling in and around Island Park, Idaho, SnoWest Magazine went 'Up, Up, and Away' - into the backcountry. Again Elk Lake Resort and more specifically the nearby Deer Mountains and Gravelly Range received positive reviews. Read excerpts from the SnoWest article.

As I track down other articles and noteworthy mentions, I will add excerpts and links (if available) to the full text. I know of an article in the Idaho Falls Post Register which featured the previous owners, John and Wayne Schofield. Three articles in the Bozeman Chronicle (from back in the 80's) feature the Resort and surrounding area. Although few may recognize the location from the author's somewhat vague description (fishermen are like that sometimes), Elk Lake Resort, and more specifically the local ponds, gets decent coverage in John Gierach's book The View From Rat Lake. In addition, we were mentioned in the late 1980's in 'Field and Stream' magazine, and a video produced by Field and Stream (I believe) which focused on fishing Yellowstone National Park, but also mentioned fishing Elk and Hidden Lakes.

If you are aware of further 'news' pieces which mention Elk Lake or the surrounding area, please let us know. It is always fun to look back at how we've made 'history'. This is also a great way to preserve the past of this unique western Montana resort.

Centennial Valley - Centennial Mountains

An annual run - 235 miles from Headwaters State Park near Three Forks to Hellroaring Creek in the Centennial Valley, received a bit of publicity in Outside Bozeman - The Gallatin Valley's outdoor journal.

Birder's World reported that, "Red Rock Lakes in Montana is where to go to see Trumpeter Swans and sage-grouse - - and to get away from it all." In an excerpt of this article Radd Icenoggle reports on the beauty and diversity of the Centennial - and the birds which call it home.

Trumpeter Swans used to be the 'big' newsmaker in the Centennial. In fact, in 2001, the Billings Gazette ran an article on studies being done on the Trumpeters living on the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Back in 2005, it was the drought which made news in many sections of the country. Not to be left out, the Centennial Valley - or more specifically the Centennial Mountains - made news in the Montana Standard. However, although this article reported the Clark Canyon Reservoir was in dire straits, it also reported the Centennial Mountain snowpack was at 100%.

By 2005, more and more people were recognizing the value of the Centennial Valley as a buffer area - a wildlife friendly habitat. In August of 2005, the Billings Gazette recognized the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge as one of only six in the nation which had, thus far, successfully fended of the 'threat' of development.

It comes as no surprise to find the Centennial making the news - when it comes to waterfowl. With Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge sitting on the largest wetland complex in Montana, it might be more 'noticeable' if the area escaped the news. However, this is not always the case. In fact, in a 2006 article in their hunting and fishing news, ESPN talks about high-altitude duck hunting in the Centennial Valley.

Local wolves make the news in October 2006, by killing valley cattle. According to an article on Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website, three wolves were responsible for the killing of several animals from September 29 to October 3.

November 11, 2006, the Missoulian reported on The Nature Conservancy's purchase of the Staudenmeyer's 11,000 acre Murphy Ranch here in the Centennial. According to Tim Swanson, southwest Montana program director for the conservancy, "This purchase guarantees that this ranch and the surrounding working landscape will retain its rural wildlife-rich character that hasn't changed much in centuries." Read the entire article on the Missoulian website.

The Montana Natural Heritage Society reports on the importance of the Centennial Valley - from a ecosystem point of view - in an article on their website.

If you know of further articles, press releases or 'interesting' tidbits which relate to Elk Lake Resort, Hidden Lake, the Centennial Valley, or the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, please contact us. We'd love to add excerpts from and links to the original articles.