Summary
The refuge covers over 3,000 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl, songbirds, and mammals such as deer and coyotes.
One of the main reasons to visit Little Goose National Wildlife Refuge is to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and hunting (during designated seasons) at the refuge. There are also opportunities for fishing and boating on the nearby Missouri River.
One of the specific points of interest at the refuge is the Little Goose Dam, which was built in the 1950s to help control flooding along the Missouri River. The dam creates a reservoir that provides habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Interesting facts about the area include that the refuge was established in 1935 and was named after the nearby Little Goose Creek. The refuge also contains several historic sites, such as the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site and the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.
The best time of year to visit Little Goose National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and there are many migratory birds passing through the area. Hunters should visit during the designated hunting seasons for waterfowl and other game.
Overall, Little Goose National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful and diverse natural area that offers visitors a chance to experience the wildlife and history of North Dakota.
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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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