Facility Activities

A variety of outdoor activities are available for the wildlife or outside enthusiast.  

Birding
From bald eagles to spoonbills, from condors to puffins, birds abound on national wildlife refuges. Refuges provide places for birds to nest, rest, feed and breed making them world-renown for their birding opportunities.
Education programs
School program activities are available at a number of facilities.
Fishing

Established to conserve remaining tallgrass prairie parcels, Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge consists of scattered tracts in western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa across 85 counties. Sport fishing is open only on fee title acres. Opportunities for fishing are rare because...

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.
Hunting

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2000 to address the loss of America’s grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The refuge consists of scattered tracts in western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. All tracts are open to various hunting options and...

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.
Wildlife watching
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.