OCTOBER 20, 2009: ALL REFUGE ROADS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.
Contact:
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Nestled in the northeast corner of the
state of South Dakota, the Refuge is
Hours: -Visitor Center/Main Office
open Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
except
Getting
39650 Sand Lake Drive
Columbia, South Dakota 57433
605/ 885-6320 fax 605/885-6333
E-Mail: sandlake@fws.gov
27 miles northeast of Aberdeen,
S.D., in the heart of the Prairie-Pothole
Region of North America.
federal holidays
-Refuge lands are open Daylight Hours Only
-During the spring and fall
migrations the Visitor Center may be open some
weekends through the
support of volunteers, please call ahead to confirm hours
-Refuge interior lands, gates and roads including Wildlife Drive
close to
general public access in mid October. Walk-In Only access is allowed after
February 1. Gates and roads re-open April 1, weather dependant. Roads
may close periodically after April 1 due to weather conditions.
From Aberdeen, South Dakota: Take State Highway 12 east six miles to Brown County Highway 16 at Bath Corner. Turn north onto Brown County 16 and follow brown directional signs. Headquarters & Visitor Center is located on Brown County Hwy 16 approximately 8 miles north of Columbia, SD. Or take State Highway 281 north to Highway 10 east. Travel east on Hwy 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to Refuge HQ, three miles south on Hwy 16.
From Minneapolis, Minnesota: Take Highway 12 west out of the Minneapolis area (Wayzata) to six miles east of the Aberdeen area, approximately 230 miles. At Bath, South Dakota watch for brown highway directional signs. Turn north onto Brown County Highway 16 at Bath, SD. Follow brown directional signs. Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center are located on Brown County 16 approximately 8 miles north of Columbia, SD.From Fargo, North Dakota: Travel south on Interstate 29 to South Dakota State Highway 12 exit at Summit, South Dakota. Turn west onto State Hwy 12. Travel approximately 68 miles to Brown County Highway 16 at Bath, South Dakota. Turn north onto Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs. Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center is located on Brown County 16 approximately 8 miles north of Columbia, SD.
From Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Travel north on Interstate 29 to the State Highway 12 exit (Aberdeen, Summit) . Turn west onto State Hwy 12. Travel approximately 68 miles to Brown County Highway 16 at Bath, South Dakota. Turn north onto Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs. Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center is located on Brown County 16 approximately 8 miles north of Columbia, SD.
From Pierre, South Dakota: Take Highway 14 east to Highway 281. Travel north on Hwy 281 through Aberdeen to Highway 10 east. Travel east on Hwy 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to Refuge HQ, three miles south on Hwy 16.
From Rapid City, South Dakota: Travel east on Interstate 90 to Highway 281 exit (near Plankington, SD). Travel north on Hwy 281 through Aberdeen to Highway 10 east. Travel east on Hwy 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to Refuge HQ, three miles south on Hwy 16.
From Jamestown, North Dakota: Travel south on Highway 281 through Ellendale, North Dakota into South Dakota. Turn east onto Highway 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to Refuge HQ, three miles south on Hwy 16.
Local
Communities:
Aberdeen, South Dakota:
-Population 25,000
-27 Miles to Refuge HQ
-Gas, groceries, restaurants, lodging, entertainment, commercial airport, and
other amenities.
*Please contact the Aberdeen Visitors and Convention Bureau for more information.
Columbia, South Dakota:
-Population 140
-8 miles to Refuge HQ
-Restaurants, small hotel, camping, post office, no gas
Hecla, South Dakota:
-Population 314
-17 miles to Refuge HQ
-Limited groceries, gas, restaurant, post office
Oakes, North
Dakota:
-Population 1,775
-30 miles to Refuge HQ
-Lodging, dining, food
service, fuel, camping
