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South Dakota
12

State of South Dakota Parks

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USA Parks
South Dakota
Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
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Waubay National Wildlife Refuge © USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A lone ice fisherman enjoys the solitude of a winter sunrise at Waubay National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota.Credit Laura Hubers / USFWSPhoto Contest Entry 161
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge © USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The morning sun highlights the ice outside Headquarters at Waubay National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota.Credit Laura Hubers / USFWSPhoto Contest Entry 160
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge © Mark Goebel from Taos, New Mexico, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
hy1122 aj0390 south dakota waubay national wildlife refuge entrance sign home to many species of birds and mammals
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge © USFWS Mountain-Prairie / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Native prairie is full of greens, golds, pinks, and purples. The colors change with the seasons. This photo was taken on the northeast side of Waubay National Wildlife Refuge in August of 2012. Credit Laura Hubers / USFWS
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge © USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A tunnel of trees in fall colors welcomes visitors to Waubay National Wildlife Refuge.Credit USFWS
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge © USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
An algae-covered snapping turtle ignores a nosy photographer while digging a nest at Waubay NWR. Credit Laura Hubers / USFWS
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WAUBAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
WAUBAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
44401 134A St
Waubay, South Dakota   57273
(lat:45.4172 lon:-97.3372) map location

Phone: 605-947-4521
Email: park email button icon
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge NWR was established in 1935 as a safe haven and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Waubay, in the Lakota Sioux language, means a place where numbers of birds make their nests. The Refuge encompasses 4,650 acres of wetlands, native tallgrass prairie, and bur oak forest that provide a wide variety of nesting habitat for more than 100 species of waterfowl, song birds, and upland game birds. One hundred forty additional bird species have been seen during spring and fall migrations.

Water levels of the Refuge lakes have undergone drastic changes over the years, rising as much as 15-feet, reducing access to much of the Refuge and changing the nature of the wetlands. The once shallow waters ringed with cattails and other emergent vegetation are now deep, creating open water lakes capable of sustaining a sport fishery. American white pelicans and wood ducks are more common now than any of the grebe species or other wading birds that were once seen quite often on the Refuge. In addition to birds, there are 37 species of mammals and 11 species of reptiles and amphibians that make the Refuge home. Waubay NWR also includes the federally recognized 40 acre Hillebrand Lake Research Natural Area which includes bur oak and 35 acres of bluestem prairie cover types.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
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Waubay NWR is located just west of Enemy Swim Lake or 1 mile east, 7 miles north and 1 miles west of the town of Waubay in the northeast corner of South Dakota. From I-29 take SD 12 west toward Aberdeen for 13 miles one mile east of Waubay. Take Day Co. 1 not well marked - watch for a brown highway information sign on HWY 12 north 7 miles and continue west on the gravel road into the Refuge - look for brown Refuge signs. The road leads 1 to the visitor center.

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South Dakota
12

State of South Dakota Parks

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