Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in Brown County, South Dakota, US
The refuge covers 21,498 acres of wetlands, lakes, and grasslands along the James River, providing habitats for numerous bird species and mammals.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge in 1935 to protect wildlife after widespread habitat loss in the early 1900s.
Native Americans, fur traders, and early explorers such as John C. Fremont and Joseph N. Nicollet utilized these wetlands for hunting and gathering.
Visitors can access the refuge from Highway 281 north to Highway 10 east, with the main entrance located 27 miles northeast of Aberdeen.
The refuge hosts the largest breeding colony of Franklin's gulls worldwide and receives up to 1.2 million snow geese during spring migrations.
Location: Greenfield Township
Address: 39650 Sand Lake Dr, Columbia, SD 57433, USA 57433 Columbia
Opening Hours: Lundi-Vendredi 08:00-17:00
Phone: +16055468157
Website: http://fws.gov/refuge/sand_lake
GPS coordinates: 45.77775,-98.23808
Latest update: March 11, 2025 21:24
South Dakota holds natural spaces, historical sites, and cultural locations beyond Mount Rushmore. Visitors encounter waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon, underground cave systems like Jewel Cave, and geological formations at the Badlands Wilderness Area. Bear Butte and Spirit Mound Historic Prairie connect nature with Native American heritage, while places like the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center and the Wounded Knee Museum offer perspectives on Lakota culture. Historical sites such as Fort Sisseton and the Ingalls Homestead show different chapters of settlement and daily life from past centuries. Museums and galleries across the state present regional collections and art, including the Redlin Art Center and The Museum @ Black Hills Institute with paleontological finds. Natural areas like Smith Falls State Park, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and LaFramboise Island Nature Area invite birdwatching, hiking, and exploration. Landscapes range from prairie grasslands to petrified forests and rock formations at Devils Gulch, while parks and recreation areas like McCrory Gardens, Hitchcock Park, and several lakes provide space for outdoor activities.
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