Welcome to
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
You are invited to take a journey to discover the
mysteries and wonders that
await you in
your national wildlife
refuge
Between deep blue potholes of water and scattered pieces of wild prairie lies one of South Dakota's truest treasures, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Nestled in the northeast corner of the state, these 21,498 acres of prime habitat are a haven for wildlife and those who enjoy it. Birdwatchers, anglers, photographers, hunters, and nature lovers all find refuge on Sand Lake. Home to more than 266 species of birds, 40 mammal species, and a variety of fish, reptiles, and amphibians the refuge is a mosaic of wildlife and the wild places they need. Famed for its spectacular concentrations of wildlife, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge has received many awards and special designations. It was named one of the top 15 birding sites in North America by WildBird magazine, it is a Globally Important Bird Area and in 1998 was designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 540 national wildlife refuges across the country. These refuges are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a federal agency within the Department of the Interior, for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of wildlife and their habitats. Sand Lake also manages the Sand Lake Wetland Management District, a program that conserves wetlands and grasslands on private property in partnership with the landowner.
Welcome again...and let your journey continue...
What's New?
Refuge Open to Walk-in/Hiking Access - February 1st. Grab your camera, pack your lunch, and fill your thermos. Interior refuge lands, roads, and Wildlife Drive are open to walk-in traffic beginning February 1st. With the minimal snow cover and mild temperatures, this is your chance to view the early spring wildlife as you hike the miles and miles of peaceful interior roads. Bring a friend or group. Snowy Owls, white-tailed deer, and a variety of other wildlife await. Where do you start? Stop by the headquarters building for a tour route map or park near one of the closed gates and begin your trek. Click here for a printable brochure with tour route map (1.32 MB)
Asian Carp Have Arrived. Or at the least, moving through. Shiny new signs erected by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department at Sand Lake's favorite fishing locations add to the continuing tale of the Asian carp invasion. Native to Southeast Asia, the carp escaped into the Mississippi River system from southern state holding ponds in the 1970s. Over the years, they have moved up numerous tributaries including the Missouri River and the now the James. More information on the fishing page.
Snowy Owls in Abundance. Leaving their Arctic tundra nesting grounds, the Snowy Owls have made their annual appearance at Sand Lake to winter upon the open prairie grasslands. This year, for unknown reasons, they have returned in large numbers and are pushing as far south as Kansas, providing an opportunity for a sighting on a leisure weekend drive through the country. (Photo/Tom Koerner FWS)
Jumping Boulders of Sand Lake. A quick glance from the bank of Sand Lake and one would think that these huge rocks either jumped onto the ice from the shoreline or were thrown by some large, mythical, fury creature. Stop on by and you may get a chance to witness the ice’s sharp edge pry one of these massive stones from the frozen bank and slide it down the sunken ice bowl.
Firewood Cutting Permits still Available. Opportunity to cut limited amounts of firewood for personal use. Cutting will only be allowed in designated areas during designated timeframes on a first come, first serve basis. Click here to view additional information.
Sustainable Energy is Here! Watch as our 13 solar panels track the sun across a bright blue sky, from first light to sundown, producing over a third of our energy. For a live feed showing our solar panel electricity generation visit SolrenView.
Click here for a printable brochure of the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (2.3MB)
