Centennial Valley & Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Important Requirements

Lottery Information

A lottery process is in effect for this program. Lottery entry opens January 8, 2026 and closes at the end of the day January 15, 2026. Tuition is due at the time of lottery entry. Selected registrants will be notified via email by January 20, 2026. Any registrants who are not selected will be placed on the waitlist in case of a cancellation and will have their lottery payment refunded. Click or tap here for full details about the lottery process.

Activity Level

This tour requires low to moderate activity. Participants must be able to meet ALL the physical requirements outlined at the bottom of this page.

Description

Nestled on the edge of the Continental Divide, the Centennial Valley's more than 60 miles of unpaved roads wind through a wide variety of forests, sagebrush steppe, grasslands and the largest wetland complex in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The valley also marks the uppermost point of the Missouri/Mississippi watershed, located 3,768 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

OLLI has organized this trip for those looking for a thorough look at the natural and cultural importance of the Centennial Valley. Participants will learn about and meet locals who live and work there, including cattle ranchers, the Centennial Valley Association's Range Riders, and managers of non-profit organizations like the Montana Nature Conservancy and the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Trip programs will range from lectures with interactive discussions to experiential outdoor learning.

Transportation

Participants will arrange their own transportation to and from the Taft-Nicholson Center, arriving on the morning of June 30, 2026. OLLI will send detailed directions to the Taft-Nicholson Center to participants a few weeks before departure. While within the Centennial Valley, we will vehicle-pool whenever possible to lessen our collective footprint.

Important things to note about travel in the Centennial Valley:

• There are no gas or charging stations available.
• Cell phone coverage is minimal or nonexistent, but Wi-Fi is available at the Taft-Nicholson Center main lodge.
• The closest medical facility is over 55 miles away on a gravel road or accessible by air ambulance (helicopter). The Taft-Nicholson Center offers certified basic Wilderness First Aid as needed.
• Pets are not allowed.

The main road through the Valley, the South Valley Road, runs east-west for 56 miles. It is a gravel road maintained by the county. Depending on weather conditions, driving can be difficult. This is true for all other roads in the valley.

We highly recommend driving light trucks and larger SUVs to decrease the risk of a flat tire when driving on valley roads. Ensure you have a quality spare tire in your vehicle.

Meals and Lodging

Meals and lodging are provided by the University of Utah's Taft-Nicholson Center, a remote campus that offers environmental humanities education to educational institutions and non-profits. The Taft-Nicholson Center is not open to the public.

Learn more about the Taft-Nicholson Center by clicking or tapping here.

Tuition

Tuition includes two nights' lodging and seven meals per person (including two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners), as well as facility, programming and staff fees.

The cost of this tour depends on the lodging you select at the Taft-Nicholson Center.

Option #1 | Single Occupancy Mini-Cabin $450 for one person. This choice is perfect for individuals traveling alone. Each cabin includes a cot, nightstand, desk, desk lamp and chair. Participants are responsible for bringing their own bedding. They will share the all-gender bathhouse in University Village. This option requires a short walk to the dining hall and community areas.

Option #2 | Double-Occupancy Cabin: $1150 for up to two people. This option is ideal for individuals traveling with a friend or partner. Most rustic cabins are one room only. All include a private bathroom.

Please note that all travelers must be members of OLLI at MSU. If any traveler is not a current OLLI at MSU member, an additional fee of $55 will be charged for their membership.

Activity Level

This trip requires:

• Low-to-moderate levels of walking (up to one mile per day), sometimes on uneven terrain (like fields and pastures).
• Standing outdoors (for up to 1.5 hours) exposed to the elements (sun, wind, rain).
• Picnic lunch (chairs, no tables).

Scholarship

Apply for a needs-based scholarship before registering for this program. The application deadline is March 29, 2026.

Apply for a needs-based scholarship to take this offering.