Contact Info
17701 212th AveNorthwest
Berthold, ND 58718
Description
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located 30 miles northwest of Minot, was established in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge straddles 35 miles of the picturesque Souris River Valley in northern North Dakota. This 32,092-acre Refuge includes a narrow band of river bottom woodlands, fertile flood plains, native mixed-grass covered rolling hills, and steep, brush-covered coulees.The focal point of the Refuge is 9,600 acre Lake Darling, which was constructed in 1936 to provide water to downstream marshes on J. Clark Salyer and Upper Souris NWRs. The Refuge is designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy. Lake Darling is also designated critical habitat for the endangered piping plover. More than 250,000 waterfowl, primarily lesser snow geese, use the Refuge during migration in the fall. Bird watchers come from across the nation to search for small grassland nesting birds including Baird's, LeConte's, and Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrows as well as Sprague's pipit.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
The Refuge office and visitor center is located southeast of Lake Darling Dam. Drive northwest of Minot on State Highway 52 to 1 mile north of Foxholm. Turn right and follow County Road 11 north 7 miles. Follow Refuge directional signs to the Refuge. An alternate route is to drive 18 miles north of Minot on State Highway 83, turn west and drive 12 miles on County Road 6.
