Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in Natrona County, Wyoming, United States.
Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area covering roughly 16,800 acres of high desert steppe between two mountain ranges. The land features grasslands and sagebrush vegetation, interspersed with wetlands and several lakes.
President Theodore Roosevelt established this refuge through an executive order in 1909 to protect regional wildlife. The action marked one of the first major conservation efforts in central Wyoming.
The name reflects the trappers and explorers who once traveled through this region. Today, locals and visitors use the refuge for bird watching and wildlife observation, making it a center for nature connection in the area.
The refuge features three campgrounds and multiple boat ramps spread across different sections. It sits about 20 miles southwest of Alcova, accessible via Wyoming Highway 220.
Millions of migratory birds rely on the wetlands as rest stops during their yearly journey. These water bodies form a crucial network of staging areas along the Platte River system.
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