Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, located east of the community of Lake Andes, is a place of wetlands, grasslands, and riverside forests. During spring and fall migrations, clouds of waterfowl and shorebirds darken the sky. Because of its tremendous value to waterfowl and other migratory birds, President Franklin Roosevelt established Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge with a Presidential Executive Order in 1936. This 5,639-acre refuge includes Lake Andes, a 4,700-acre lake created by the last ice age. Each spring and fall, thousands of waterfowl and other waterbirds migrate through this region, taking advantage of the nutritious food found in the wetlands. In addition, many waterfowl find the combination of grasslands and wetlands on this landscape ideal for nesting and raising their young. The Refuge public use area is open from sunrise to sunset. This area may be closed at times during waterfowl hunting season if necessary to protect wildlife and habitat. No overnight parking or camping is allowed.