Lostwood
Kenmare, ND 58746-9046
Plan Your Visit
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge offers a range of wildlife‑dependent recreational opportunities, including hunting, birdwatching, wildlife observation, hiking, and photography. You can find more details about available activities on our Activities pages, or stop by our office to pick up a brochure. Refuge staff are also available to answer questions about local plants, wildlife, and recreation.
Before you go
Visit our Rules and Policies page for important guidance.
Questions?
Call our office: (701) 848-2722
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is located 17 miles southwest of Bowbells, ND and about 21 miles north of Stanley, ND. The entrance road is on the west side of Highway 8 and is marked by a large Refuge sign.
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 and fish and wildlife by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors, and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference.
Volunteers: Gain new experiences and meet new people while helping to advance wildlife conservation.
Landowners: Learn how you can partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to voluntarily restore land.
Local Groups: Find out how communities can work with refuges, wildlife, and people.
Youth: Explore paid and unpaid opportunities to learn and develop leadership skills.
Services
At this field station, we offer the following public services:
- A small contact station with local hunting and wildlife viewing information.
- Educational and wayfinding brochures.
- Environmental education programs for local schools and groups (contact Refuge manager).
- Administration of cooperative agriculture programs.
- Issuance of Special Use Permits.
- Project reviews related to energy development when U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service interests are involved.
About
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge protects one of the largest publicly owned tracts of northern mixed‑grass prairie in the United States. The Refuge holds a Globally Important Bird Area designation from the American Bird Conservancy and Audubon Society. In 1975, Congress designated a 5,577‑acre wilderness area within the Refuge to protect a representative sample of northern mixed‑grass prairie in the Missouri Coteau. Lostwood provides important habitat for migratory birds as both a breeding ground and a stopover along their long journeys, and it supports a wide variety of native, resident wildlife throughout the year.