Summary
The refuge was established in 1908 and covers an area of 4,385 acres.
One of the main reasons to visit Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge is to see the white pelicans. The refuge is home to one of the largest nesting populations of white pelicans in North America, with over 20,000 birds arriving each spring to breed. Visitors can witness the pelicans in action from a viewing platform or by taking a guided tour.
In addition to the white pelicans, the refuge is also home to a variety of other bird species, including the American avocet, black-necked stilt, and Baird’s sparrow. Visitors can explore the refuge’s hiking trails and observation points to see these birds and other wildlife up close.
Interesting facts about Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge include that the refuge was once the site of a commercial salt mining operation in the early 1900s. The salt mining led to the formation of the lake, which is now an important habitat for wildlife. Additionally, the refuge was the filming location for the 1996 movie “Fly Away Home,” which tells the story of a young girl who helps her father teach a group of orphaned geese to fly south for the winter.
The best time of year to visit Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge is during the summer months, when the white pelicans are nesting and raising their young. However, the refuge is open year-round and visitors can enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and other activities throughout the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Crystal Springs Baptist Camp
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Medina City Park
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Pettibone City Park
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