Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge

Facility Activities

Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of wildlife dependent recreational opportunities including: hunting, birdwatching, wildlife observation, hiking, and photography. Please ask the Refuge staff for information regarding specific plant or animal species.

Hunting

In many areas of the Northern Great Plains large expanses of native prairie have been lost forever. Of the 27,589 acres on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, about 70 percent are native prairie. A hunter visiting the Refuge will see rolling, grass-covered hills and numerous prairie pothole...

Auto tour

At Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, you can view a vast array of wildlife by traveling the 7-mile self-guided auto tour route through the center of the Refuge. The auto tour route is open from May through September. Early morning and evening are the best times for viewing wildlife. Built in...

Birding

The Refuge maintains a Globally Important Bird Area designation by the American Bird Conservancy and Audubon Society. The Refuge provides essential habitat for rare grassland bird species such as Sprague's pipit and Baird's sparrow. Some of the larger, showy members of the mixed grass...

Hiking
Take your pick of 2,100 miles of refreshing trails and boardwalks. Whether you want a short, easy walk or a challenging hike, you’re likely to find what you want. Some trails are paved and universally accessible. Some trails include displays on visual arts, local history and culture or environmental education.
Painting and drawing
Painting and sketching in nature is possible at nearly all sites open to the public. Sometimes, sites host public displays of artworks created on the refuge.
Photography
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.
Running
Many multi-purpose trails are open to runners and joggers as well as walkers and, in some cases, bicyclists. Some sites host annual fun runs. Check individual refuge websites for details.