National wildlife refuge

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Brown County, South Dakota run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee.

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

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, Public domain

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge map

Sand Lake 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 SD, 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 Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, hunting, fishing.

Wildlife

  • BirdWaterfowl
  • BirdMigratory birds

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Hecla, 6 miles

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