Summary
Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge is located in the northern part of North Dakota and was established in 1935. It covers over 58,700 acres of wetlands and grasslands, providing an important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.
There are several good reasons to visit the refuge, including bird watching, fishing, and hiking. The refuge is home to over 200 species of birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. Visitors can also fish for northern pike, walleye, and other species in several of the refuge's lakes and streams. The refuge has several hiking trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the area's varied landscapes, from prairie grasslands to wetlands.
Some specific points of interest at the refuge include Tetrault Woods, a remnant of a once-vast forest that covered the area, and the J. Clark Salyer Museum, which provides visitors with an overview of the refuge's history and wildlife.
Interesting facts about the refuge include that it was named after J. Clark Salyer, a former chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Wildlife Refuges, who played a key role in establishing the National Wildlife Refuge system. The refuge was also instrumental in the recovery of the once-endangered whooping crane, with several pairs now nesting in the area.
The best time of year to visit the refuge depends on visitors' interests. Spring and fall are popular times for bird watching, as many species migrate through the area during those seasons. Summer is a popular time for fishing, while winter offers the chance to see snowshoe hares and other wildlife adapted to the cold climate.
Weather Forecast
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