Wildlife watching

Experience a Sharp‑Tailed Grouse Lek

Each spring, as warm temperatures return and prairie crocuses begin to bloom, visitors can experience one of the Refuge’s most remarkable natural events: the courtship display of the sharp‑tailed grouse. Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places in the region to observe this “dancing” behavior. With tails raised, wings spread, and neck air sacs inflated, the grouse twist, turn, and rapidly stamp their feet across bare hilltops—an unforgettable spectacle easily observed on their traditional dancing grounds, called leks.

Reserve a Grouse Blind 

The Refuge offers visitors a unique opportunity to watch and photograph these displays from blinds located near active leks. Reservations are required to use the blinds and can be made by calling the Refuge headquarters between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 701‑468‑5467.

Requests may also be emailed to uppersouris@fws.gov. Please include your name, phone number, and preferred blind number in the message.

Reservation requests typically begin in late March or early April, with April being our busiest month. A few requests may come in during early May, but they decline as lekking winds down. Timing varies from year to year depending on spring weather.

To help ensure a respectful and rewarding experience, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Arrive early. Grouse are typically on the lek at dawn or again in early evening. For the best experience, plan to arrive about 30 minutes before sunrise or during the last two hours of daylight. If your arrival causes the birds to flush, quietly enter the blind and wait—grouse have a strong attachment to the lek and usually return shortly.
• Stay quiet. Although they may seem accustomed to the blinds, grouse remain alert to disturbances. Excess noise may cause them to leave the area.
• Know your space. Each blind accommodates up to four people; when using bulky photography equipment, two or three visitors will fit more comfortably.
• Park respectfully. When you arrive, please be sure not to block any gates or access routes while parking.

Grouse Blind Locations

Blind #1

From the Refuge Headquarters, go west on County Road 6, cross the dam, and travel south. Continue onto County Road 11 for just over half a mile. The blind is visible from the road on the west side. Park along the shoulder or in the ditch.

Blind #2

From the Refuge Headquarters, travel east on Highway 6 for 1.1 miles. Park on the north side of the highway near the gate. Walk north on the service trail for 0.3 miles. Look for a sign on the left marked “Grouse Blind.” Turn left and walk northwest across the prairie, following the white‑and‑red reflector poles spaced roughly 100–200 yards apart. A flashlight is highly recommended for navigating in the dark and illuminating the reflectors. The blind sits on slightly higher ground near Lake Darling. GPS coordinates: 48.468369675703045, -101.54917608249158. Total distance from parking area to the blind is approximately 0.7 miles (allow 20–30 minutes).

*If you plan to reserve Blind #2 for the first time, we recommend walking the route in daylight before your visit.

Blind #3

From the Refuge Headquarters, go east on Highway 6 for 0.3 miles. Park on the south side of the highway near the gate and walk ¼ mile south on the mowed trail.