Features
Lostwood is One-of-a-kind
The Refuge has 14,469 acres of mixed grass prairie, which is the largest tract of this habitat type managed by USFWS.
"Leave No Trace"
The Lostwood Refuge contains a 5,577-acre Wilderness Area. It was established in 1975 to best represent the northern mixed grass prairie.
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Federal Duck Stamp
Federal Duck Stamps were originally created in 1934 as federal licenses required for hunting migratory waterfowl.
Interesting Facts
March 04, 2014Lostwood NWR has been designated a "Globally Important Bird Area" by the American Bird Conservancy. The Refuge provides breeding habitat for the Great Plains population of the threatened piping plover. Also, many declining grassland-associated bird species, such as Baird's sparrow, benefit from the intensive grassland management programs on the Refuge. Using prescribed burning and grazing, Refuge staff reduce encroachment by exotic plants and woody vegetation. The native mixed-grass community is slowly being restored.
Learn MoreAbout the Complex
The Lostwood WMD Complex, located in northwest North Dakota, encompasses five ND counties. It is comprised of 4 National Wildlife Refuges and two WMD's.
Lostwood is managed as part of the Lostwood Wetland Management District Complex.
Learn more about the complex About the NWRS
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.
Learn more about the NWRS
Visitor Information
March 04, 2014The refuge headquarters are open Monday-Friday from 7:00am-4:30pm year round, except Federal holidays.
Phone: (701)848-2722
Fax: (701)848-2702 Lostwood NWR
8315 Highway 8
Kenmare, ND 58746
Plan Your Visit- December 09, 2014
Visit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the native prairie by traveling the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) auto tour route. The rolling hills and lush wetlands of Lostwood NWR and the surrounding area have much to offer - waterfowl, songbirds, scenic vistas, and more. Open from May through September, grab the auto tour route leaflet from the headquarters office, and follow along as Lostwood's history unfolds before your eyes.
- December 09, 2014
There are many ways to enjoy Lostwood NWR, but it is important to remember that the needs of wildlife come first. Some of the activities you can do or places you can visit include: hiking, photography and wildlife viewing, hunting, and traveling along the 7-mile self-guided auto tour route. We also have a grouse viewing blind, where one can experience the Refuge's many sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds available by phone reservation (best viewing is mid-April to early May). Portions of the Refuge are open to hunting for sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge, and deer. See the special hunting regulations at the Refuge headquarters for more information.
- April 14, 2014
Please visit the Lostwood Wetland Management District website for information regarding activity outside the refuge.
Lostwood WMD
Sprague's Pipit
A rare and declining songbird of the northern prairie, Sprague's Pipit is a small bird of the open grasslands. Though it feeds and nests exclusively on the ground, the species performs the longest known flight display of any bird.
Page Photo Credits — All photos courtesy of USFWS unless otherwise noted., Whooping Cranes - Copyright Dillon Belisle
Last Updated: Feb 17, 2016