Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge covers about 72,000 acres of the Sandhills south of Valentine, and most of what a visitor notices is water. Lakes, marshes and wet meadows lie in the valleys between the grass-held dunes, fed by underground seeps and springs. The refuge was established in 1935 as a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife, and a Civilian Conservation Corps camp opened here the same year. In 1976 the National Park Service named it a National Natural Landmark for the tall and mid-grass prairie it protects.

About 260 bird species have been recorded, and some 150,000 birds pass through in spring and fall migration. The refuge is known for its greater prairie chickens. In April prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse gather on their dancing grounds for courtship displays, and the refuge has offered viewing blinds by reservation in April and early May; call the office. Blanding's turtles, muskrat and beaver live in the wetlands.

The headquarters is on US-83, 27 miles south of Valentine and 41 miles north of Thedford. The Civilian Conservation Corps Fire Tower Trail starts from a parking area at the west end of Hackberry Lake and ends on the old fire tower, now an observation deck over the lakes and hills, and the Marsh Lake Overlook looks across open water. Several lakes are open to fishing for perch, bluegill, bass and pike under the refuge's own rules. The refuge is open daylight hours only, vehicles stay on designated roads, and camping and fires are not allowed.