Summary
The refuge spans over 3,000 acres and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Visitors to the refuge can enjoy hiking and birdwatching in a peaceful and natural setting.
One of the main reasons to visit Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge is the opportunity to observe a diverse range of wildlife. The refuge is home to over 200 bird species, including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and great blue herons. Visitors may also spot white-tailed deer, coyotes, and other mammals.
The refuge features several points of interest for visitors to explore. The Lake Alice Wildlife Drive is a 10-mile route that winds through the refuge, providing scenic views of the landscape and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The refuge also has several walking trails, including the Prairie Trail and the Marsh Overlook Trail.
Interesting facts about Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge include its history as a former homestead and cattle ranch. The refuge was established in 1938 as a way to restore the land to its natural state and provide habitat for wildlife. Additionally, the refuge is one of the few places in North Dakota where visitors can see sandhill cranes during their annual migration.
The best time of year to visit Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall, when migratory birds are passing through the area. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing 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.
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