Plan Your Visit
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge provides numerous recreation opportunities to thousands of visitors each year! People enjoy viewing the unique geology and diverse wildlife via boat, vehicle and foot. Enjoy trails, off-trail hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, fishing and hunting. Visitors may picnic, camp and swim at the Little White Recreational Area. Regulation of recreational activities allow for public enjoyment of the Refuge while still protecting wildlife and habitat.
Lacreek NWR is located directly north of the Nebraska/South Dakota border approximately 15 miles southeast of Martin, South Dakota, and about 120 miles southeast of Rapid City.
Driving Directions
From Rapid City: Take Interstate 90 east to Kadoka (exit 150). Turn right and proceed south on Highway 73 to the Highway 18 junction. Turn left and go 1 mile to 231st Avenue; turn right on the gravel road. Head south 4 miles to Tuthill. Take a right on 293rd St. and go 1 mile. Follow signs to reach the Headquarters/Visitor Center.
From Nebraska: Follow Highway 20 to Highway 61 in Merriman, Nebraska. Take Highway 61 north into South Dakota to 297th St. Take a right and go 8 miles to the Headquarters/Visitor Center.
Activities
More Activities
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community, fish and wildlife by doing what you love.
Services
About
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 as a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife in southwestern South Dakota. Spanning 16,570 acres, the refuge contains a diverse landscape of native sandhills, marshes, and prairies within the Lake Creek valley. It serves as a critical staging area for migrating waterfowl and provides vital wintering habitat for the High Plains trumpeter swan population.
