Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Aberdeen, South Dakota

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Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Aberdeen, South Dakota Sand Lake Refuge offers a wide variety of seasonal and year round accessible recreational opportunities that are wildlife compatible. Wildlife observation, bird watching, education, photography, hunting and fishing are all popular activities at Sand Lake.

Sand Lake is home to over 266 species of birds, 40 mammal species and a variety of fish, reptiles and amphibians. It is a designated "Wetlands of International Importance" and "a Globally Important Bird Area". The Refuge has also been named one of the Top 15 Birding Sites in North America by WildBird magazine. It has hosted the largest nesting colony of Franklin’s Gulls in the world! Spring and fall concentrations of migratory birds number in the millions. Spring, summer, and fall wildlife viewing opportunities can be spectacular! Wildlife Drive, a seasonal auto tour route, gets you up close and personal with the wildlife. Waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds, and just about anything in between can be seen at Sand Lake!

Wildlife photographers from all over the country migrate to Sand Lake to photograph its landscapes and intense concentrations of wildlife. Deep blue water, auburn skies, and an endless landscape make the Refuge a paradise for those who capture it by lens. Although the Refuge has no permanent blinds you may set up temporary daily blinds.

Sand Lake offers something for the big game hunter, upland game hunters, and waterfowl hunters. Refuge white-tailed deer hunts include archery, muzzle-loader, and rifle seasons. Upland game hunters can try their hand at pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, and partridge. Perimeter hunting blinds are available to waterfowl hunters on a first come first serve basis. All deer and upland game hunting on Sand Lake Refuge is Walk-In Only. Hunters may park in designated parking areas and walk in from there. Several parking areas are available around the Refuge. Waterfowl hunting is perimeter boundary hunting only in the Spaced Blind Areas, no interior waterfowl hunting is allowed. Over 200 blinds are available to waterfowl hunters on a first come first serve basis. An accessible waterfowl hunting blind is also available. All Federal and South Dakota State Game Rules and Regulations apply and there are Special Refuge Regulations.

Sport fishing is allowed year round at five (5) locations on the Refuge. Walleye, northern pike, and other rough fish are popular sport. All South Dakota State Fishing Regulations apply as well as Special Refuge Regulations.

Visitor Center: The Visitor Center offers outstanding wildlife displays, exhibits, wildlife-oriented videos, books and other resources.

"Wildlife Drive" Auto Tour Route: "Wildlife Drive" is a 15 mile auto tour route that travels through the heart of the Refuge offering excellent wildlife and habitat viewing. A specialized brochure will guide you through 12 stops along the route to help you better understand refuge management and the habitat and wildlife you are seeing. Wildlife Drive is open from April 1 through mid October and may be periodically closed during this time due to weather conditions.

Refuge Regulations: To minimize disturbance to wildlife and for visitor safety the following activities are prohibited on the Refuge: Camping, Swimming, Boating, Littering, Fires, Harassing of Wildlife, and Collecting of Plants, Animals, Minerals, Antlers, and Items of Antiquity. In addition, weapons in possession outside of established hunting seasons must be dismantled or cased.

Location: Refuge is 27 miles northeast of Aberdeen, S.D: From Aberdeen, South Dakota: Take State Highway 12 east six miles to Brown County Highway 16 at Bath Corner. Turn north onto Brown County 16 and follow brown directional signs. Headquarters & Visitor Center is located on Brown County Hwy 16 approximately 8 miles north of Columbia, SD. Or take State Highway 281 north to Highway 10 east. Travel east on Hwy 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to Refuge HQ, three miles south on Hwy 16.

Hours: -Visitor Center/Main Office open Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm except federal holidays-Refuge lands are open Daylight Hours Only-During the spring and fall migrations the Visitor Center may be open some weekends through the support of volunteers, please call ahead to confirm hours-Refuge interior lands, gates and roads including Wildlife Drive close to general public access in mid October. Walk-In Only access is allowed after February 1. Gates and roads re-open April 1, weather dependant. Roads may close periodically after April 1 due to weather conditions.

Phone: 605/ 885-6320