National wildlife refuge

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Ward County, North Dakota run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Kirsten Brennan/USFWS, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105) . Data source:Recreation.gov

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge map

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

This unit's own agency alerts list no fire restriction as of Oct. 5, 2026. We do not check a statewide fire-order feed for ND, so that is not a statement that no order exists, and not a green light for a fire. Check with the land manager and your county before you light anything.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

There is no entrance fee at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: hiking, hunting, fishing.

Wildlife

  • BirdWaterfowl
  • BirdMigratory birds

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Kenmare, 1.8 miles

Source: www2.census.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Photos

Photo of Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
Kirsten Brennan/USFWS, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)

Data source: Recreation.gov