About North Platte National Wildlife Refuge
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge lies in the Panhandle of Western Nebraska. Established in 1916, the Refuge is superimposed over four Bureau of Reclamation irrigation projects: Lake Minatare, Winters Creek Lake, Lake Alice, and Stateline Island.Boasting abundant wildlife, the North Platte NWR units contain a mixture of native prairie and woodland habitat. Whether the Refuge unit is surrounded by water (Stateline Island) or bordering a reservoir (Lake Alice, Lake Minatare, and Winters Creek), riparian habitat is a key feature of this Refuge.The water bodies attract an abundance of waterfowl and shorebirds, and the riparian edges support songbirds, raptors, and a variety of other birds. Additionally, 21 mammals including both mule and white-tailed deer, may be seen throughout the year. During the warmer months, 17 species of reptiles and amphibians may also be observed.
How to Get There
Lake Minatare and Winters Creek: From US Highway 26, travel north on Sugar Factory Road approximately 5 miles to Lake Minatare Road. Turn east and travel approximately 6 miles to Stonegate Road. Turn north on Stonegate, the entrance to Lake Minatare is approximately 2 miles; the Winters Creek entrance is just beyond on the opposite side of the road.Lake Alice:From US Highway 26, travel north on Sugar Factory Road to County Road C (approximately 7 miles). Turn east on County Road C approximately 2 miles to the Lake Alice entrance. Stateline Island:From U.S. Highway 26 at Henry, Nebraska, travel south on Holloway Road approximately 1 mile to the entrance and parking area.View a general location map of the Refuge here in Google Map or enter your starting address in Google maps for directions to North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Office Complex.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to North Platte National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to North Platte National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for North Platte National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for North Platte National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1539) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to North Platte National Wildlife Refuge?
Lake Minatare and Winters Creek: From US Highway 26, travel north on Sugar Factory Road approximately 5 miles to Lake Minatare Road. Turn east and travel approximately 6 miles to Stonegate Road. Turn north on Stonegate, the entrance to Lake Minatare is approximately 2 miles; the Winters Creek entrance is just beyond on the opposite side of the road.Lake Alice:From US Highway 26, travel north on Su…
How do I contact North Platte National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 308-635-7851 or email: CrescentLake@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
