Summary
The refuge is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bison, elk, deer, prairie dogs, and over 200 species of birds.
There are several good reasons to visit Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, including its unique natural beauty, opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing, and its importance for conservation and research. The refuge is also a popular destination for hunting and fishing.
Some specific points of interest to see at Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge include the Lostwood Wetland Management District, the Bison Viewing Area, and the Lostwood Prairie Dog Town. Visitors can also explore several hiking trails and nature trails throughout the refuge, including the Lostwood Lake Trail and the Prairie Dog Loop Trail.
Interesting facts about Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge include its designation as a Globally Important Bird Area, as well as its role in the conservation of several threatened and endangered species, including the whooping crane and the piping plover.
The best time of year to visit Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge depends on the activities and experiences that visitors are interested in. Spring and summer are popular times for hiking and wildlife viewing, while fall is a great time for hunting and fishing. Winter is also a good time for wildlife viewing and cross-country skiing.
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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Lake Park - Powers Lake
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Powers Lake City Park
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Smishek Lake City Park
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