Summary
The area is located north of the city of Ellendale and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of the North Dakota landscape.
There are several reasons why visitors should consider visiting Golden Lake State Wildlife Management Area. First, the area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and a variety of bird species. Second, the area offers visitors a chance to engage in outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and hiking. Finally, the area’s unique geological features, such as the glacial moraine, make it an interesting destination for those interested in geology.
There are several points of interest within the area that visitors should make time to see. First, the area’s namesake, Golden Lake, is a popular spot for fishing and offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Second, the area’s glacial moraine is a unique geological feature that is worth exploring. Finally, the area’s grasslands provide a habitat for a variety of bird species, making it a great destination for birdwatchers.
Interesting facts about Golden Lake State Wildlife Management Area include that it was established in 1957 and has been managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department ever since. Additionally, the area is home to several rare plant species, including the western fringed gentian and the prickly pear cactus.
The best time of year to visit Golden Lake State Wildlife Management Area depends on your interests. For those interested in hunting, the fall is the best time to visit. For those interested in birdwatching, the spring and summer months are the best times to visit. Finally, for those interested in hiking and exploring the area’s geological features, the summer months are the best time to visit.
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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.
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