About Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge
On May 10, 1939, Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.The Florence Lake Refuge is located in northern Burleigh County approximately 45 miles northwest of Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge and has almost 1,000 acres of virgin native mixed-grass prairie and a 132-acre meandered lake. Surrounded by native prairie, Florence Lake provides breeding and migration habitat for a diverse array of migratory birds. This high-quality prairie habitat attracts grassland birds including grassland passerines that are sought by birders visiting the region.The Refuge draws in significant numbers of waterfowl during the fall migration and plays an important role as a migratory bird nesting area. Florence Lake attracts up to 80-100 duck pairs per square mile during the spring breeding season. Resident and migratory wildlife species, including sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge, white-tailed deer, and coyotes also utilize the Refuge.
How to Get There
Florence Lake NWR is located about 11 miles northeast of Wing, North Dakota. From Wing, travel north on Highway 14 for 9 miles, then turn west on the gravel road for 3 miles, turn north 1 mile, and then go east 1 mile. Access roads are gravel and the last mile is unimproved prairie trail which is impassible when wet.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/4029) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
Florence Lake NWR is located about 11 miles northeast of Wing, North Dakota. From Wing, travel north on Highway 14 for 9 miles, then turn west on the gravel road for 3 miles, turn north 1 mile, and then go east 1 mile. Access roads are gravel and the last mile is unimproved prairie trail which is impassible when wet.
How do I contact Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 701-387-4397 or email: longlake@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
