If you’ve ever wanted a front-row seat to one of nature’s most fascinating springtime displays, the Grouse House at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is the place to be. Each spring, lucky visitors can sit in a small shed at sunrise and watch sharp-tailed grouse perform their ancient mating dance.

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Located just a few miles north of Great Falls, Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge spans more than 12,000 acres and hosts around 240 species of birds and 28 different species of mammals.

Among the birds that inhabit the refuge are the male Sharp-tailed Grouse, which get a lot of attention for their yearly attempts to impress lady grouse.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Dance Moves

Every spring, Sharp-tailed Grouse make their way to traditional sites known as leks. There are four known leks on the refuge, but the one where the Grouse House is located hosts the largest number of male grouse performing their ritual dance. The innately choreographed moves are not subdued or quiet. In fact, a “booming” sound is often used to describe the noise made as the male grouse stamp their feet quickly on the ground and inflate air sacks along their neck. This routine is supposed to draw in female grouse looking for a dominant male to make her mate.

“You can hear them from a long way off.  The males kind of face off and they do their little routine and ritual,” explained Refuge Manager Bob Johnson. “The females come to mate with them and then go off and lay their eggs and end up hopefully with a bunch of little grouse.”

The ritual happens daily for a few hours around sunrise; moreover, it typically occurs in March, April, and May.

“It’s just really something to watch how these birds do it.  You always wonder how do they know what they’re doing?  They all just show up here.  It’s been going on for eons and it continues and it’s just really something neat to watch, ” said Johnson.

The large lek was first observed in 1988 and had 12 male grouse. Over the years, people have reported seeing upwards of 70 males there.

The Grouse House

Nearby, sitting unassumingly just off this lek, is a small shed known as The Grouse House. This small building that blends into the landscape, as best it can, is a hideaway for humans to observe the dancing birds. The Grouse House was first opened to the public in 1989.

“The one we’re in now was built by a Boy Scout in 2010.  It’s been modified a little bit,” explained Johnson.

The structure, which accommodates up to 10 people, features six windows at varying heights that open to watch the dance party.

The Experience

Due to the size of the house and the special opportunity to observe nature, a lottery system is used to select who will enjoy this rare experience (how to enter the lottery explained further down).

“It’s extremely popular. We have a lot more people interested in using the Grouse House than available mornings,” Johnson said.

Lucky lottery winners will need to set an early alarm and arrive at the house before sunup. This involves driving around the refuge, parking, and walking about a quarter of a mile or so to the house.

Bring layers, warm clothing, blankets, water, and snacks if you need to settle in for a few hours.

“I think it’s phenomenal.  I think it’s such a great thing to have so close to Great Falls. We’re just miles from town, and just to be able to witness this, this is awesome,” said Carol Berg, Visit Great Falls Guest Services Manager.

Prepare to be mesmerized.

Grouse House Lottery

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge holds a lottery every spring for a chance to stay in the grouse house. The house will be available Thursdays – Sundays and has room for up to ten people.

For 2026, submissions will be accepted through March 22nd. The drawing will be held on March 23rd, 2026, and winners will be notified via email.

Available dates for 2026 will be Thursday, March 26th – Friday, May 15th.

If you are interested in getting a chance to observe the Sharp-tailed Grouse mating display, you will need to submit the following information by March 22nd, 2026, to :

• Name
• E-Mail Address
• Phone Number
• Top three dates preferences

Questions? Call Bob Johnson at 406-727-7400.

Listen to the Grouse House Experience

Johnson was our guest on an episode of our podcast We’re No Dam Experts.  Hear more from him and stories of the grouse house and Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  Episode 170: Sharptailing is available now wherever you listen to podcasts or on our YouTube channel.

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