Valentine National Wildlife Refuge - Valentine, Nebraska

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is a stunning wildlife sanctuary located in the heart of Nebraska's Sandhills region. Situated at 39679 Pony Lake Rd, Valentine, NE 69201, United States, this refuge spans over 6,000 acres of diverse habitats, providing a haven for a wide array of wildlife species.

Established in 1938, the refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is dedicated to the conservation of migratory birds, upland game birds, and other wildlife. It is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a chance to observe and appreciate the natural beauty of the Sandhills ecosystem.

Specialties and Features

• Wildlife refuge: The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is home to numerous species of birds, mammals, and plants, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
• Tourist attraction: The refuge offers guided tours, hiking trails, and opportunities for birdwatching, making it a popular destination for visitors.
• Wheelchair-accessible: The refuge provides wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking lots, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the site's amenities.
• Hiking: The refuge features a network of hiking trails that wind through the diverse habitats, offering visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the Sandhills.
• Kid-friendly: The refuge offers kid-friendly hikes and educational programs, making it an ideal destination for families with children.

Other Points of Interest

• The refuge is home to numerous species of birds, including migratory waterfowl, upland game birds, and songbirds.
• The Sandhills formations provide a unique backdrop for visitors, with stunning views at sunset and sunrise.
• The refuge's lakes and wetlands support a variety of aquatic life and provide important breeding and nesting habitats for birds.

The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge has garnered a strong reputation among visitors and nature enthusiasts. With an impressive 4.6 out of 5-star rating based on 129 reviews on Google My Business, it is clear that the refuge delivers on its promise of providing a unique and memorable wildlife experience. Visitors often praise the refuge's diverse habitats, abundant wildlife, and well-maintained trails, making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through the region.

To learn more about the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge or to plan your visit, please visit their website at fws.gov. You can also reach the refuge by phone at 402-376-1889.

👍 Reviews of Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Nikki R. (.

5/5

Visited here for upland game last October. Lots of prairie chickens but they are on the lookout so it’s hard to sneak up on them but we did get one. Saw lots of pheasants too especially during a brief rain. Lots of turkey and waterfowl too though we weren’t there for them. The lakes are lovely. The Sandhills formations are really beautiful especially at sunset/sunrise in the golden light. The dirt roads are level one, graded but in good condition. Good signage.

Wyatt W. P.

4/5

There is a subtle beauty to the rolling sandhills and the wetlands below. The refuge has some nice gravel wildlife drives with plenty of boat launches. There is tons of wildlife in this place. It could use a few more hiking trails as there is only a couple. The mile hike to CCC fire tower is cool, but unfortunately you can't go all the way to the top.

Andre H.

4/5

I drove through the refuge recently for my second time and I really enjoyed the seclusion and silence (man-made noise anyway). The roads that I drove on were rough and four wheel drive is recommended. Bugs will be an issue so come prepared.

Kassie K.

5/5

Such a beautiful refuge! Was so happy to finally check this one off my list.

Scooter J.

5/5

This place has amazingly clean and beautiful lake, Beautiful scenery, and hardly any people. I like the fact that they don't allow gasoline motors on any of the lakes. This is probably why they are so clean and it evens out the playing field for us poor boys that can't afford a big fancy boat. I didnt catch anything from the bank but the views and wildlife I got pictures of made the whole trip worth it.

Ned C.

4/5

It's a fun place to explore, it's going to take a little while for fishing to recover from winter kills a few years ago.

Lindsey L.

5/5

3/5 stars, would have been 5 but the refuge needs to train their porcupines better, maybe they can be a bit friendlier to hunting dogs? Also they need to release more Sharptail and Prairie Chickens. They could also comb the Sandhills for cactus, those suckers hurt!

All jokes aside, great experiences in the Sandhills, appreciate the opportunity to hunt Prairie Chickens and Sharptail Grouse, see a well managed NWR. The hills were thick with great forb species, appreciate the work done for cedar removal.

Rachel K.

5/5

Another great park! Lots of wildlife and so peaceful. Only wish the wildlife drive was two lanes instead of one so cars can pass each other.