About Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.Following the establishment of Florida's Pelican Island as the first National Wildlife Refuge in 1903, the Refuge System has grown to encompass more than 565 National Wildlife Refuges spanning approximately 100 million acres of lands and 750 million acres of oceans in the United States. Refuges are home to more than 700 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 250 reptile and amphibian species, and more than 200 species of fish. Fifty-nine Refuges have been established with a primary purpose of conserving threatened or endangered species.More than 41 million people visit national wildlife refuges each year to participate in activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and photography, and to attend environmental education and interpretive programs. There is at least one National Wildlife Refuge in every state, and one within an hour's drive of most major cities — offering people a welcoming, safe, and accessible place to nourish their spirits and reconnect to the land.
How to Get There
Waubay NWR is located just west of Enemy Swim Lake or 1 mile east, 7 miles north and 1 э 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 э to the visitor center.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Waubay 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 Waubay National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Waubay National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1667) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Waubay National Wildlife Refuge?
Waubay NWR is located just west of Enemy Swim Lake or 1 mile east, 7 miles north and 1 э 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 …
How do I contact Waubay National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 605-947-4521 or email: waubay@fws.gov .
References & Official Resources
