Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District
Mountain-Prairie Region

Contact Us

Contact

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
39650 Sand Lake Drive
Columbia, SD 57433
phone (605) 885-6320 fax (605) 885-6333
e-mail: sandlake@fws.gov
Migration information 24-hour line (605) 885-6401

 

Location Nestled in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region of North America, the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located 27 miles northeast of Aberdeen, SD.

Hours Visitor center/main office open Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with the exception of federal holidays.

Refuge lands are open daylight hours only. Refuge interior lands, gates, and roads, including Wildlife Drive are open to the general public from April 1 thru mid October. Walk-in only access is allowed from February 1 to April 1. Roads may close periodically after April 1 due to weather conditions.

Getting Here

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These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

From Aberdeen, SD
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 Highway 16 approximately 8 miles north of Columbia, SD. Or take State Highway 281 north to Highway 10 east. Travel east on Highway 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to refuge headquarters, three miles south on Highway 16.

From Minneapolis, MN
Take Highway 12 west out of the Minneapolis area (Wayzata) to six miles east of the Aberdeen area, approximately 230 miles. At Bath, SD, 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, ND
Travel south on Interstate 29 to South Dakota State Highway 12 exit at Summit, SD. Turn west onto State Highway 12. Travel approximately 68 miles to Brown County Highway 16 at Bath, SD. 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, SD
Travel north on Interstate 29 to the State Highway 12 exit (Aberdeen, Summit) . Turn west onto State Highway 12. Travel approximately 68 miles to Brown County Highway 16 at Bath, SD. 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, SD
Take Highway 14 east to Highway 281. Travel north on Highway 281 through Aberdeen to Highway 10 east. Travel east on Highway 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to refuge headquarters, three miles south on Highway 16.

From Rapid City, SD
Travel east on Interstate 90 to Highway 281 exit (near Plankington, SD). Travel north on Highway 281 through Aberdeen to Highway 10 east. Travel east on Highway 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to refuge headquartes, three miles south on Highway 16.

From Jamestown, ND
Travel south on Highway 281 through Ellendale, ND into South Dakota. Turn east onto Highway 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to refuge headquarters, three miles south on Highway 16.

Local Communities

Aberdeen, SD
-Population 26,091
-27 miles southwest of the refuge headquarters
-Gas, groceries, restaurants, lodging, entertainment, commercial airport, and other amenities.
Contact the Aberdeen Convention and Visitor's Bureau for more information.

Houghton, SD
-Population less than 100
-7 miles east of the refuge headquarters
-Restaurant, camping, no gas

Columbia, SD
-Population 134
-8 miles south of the refuge headquarters
-Restaurant, small hotel, camping, post office, no gas

Hecla, SD
-Population 295
-17 miles north of the refuge headquarters
-Limited groceries, gas, restaurant, post office

Oakes, ND
-Population 1,752
-30 miles north of the refuge headquarters
-Lodging, dining, food service, fuel, camping

Last updated: January 3, 2012