Crescent Lake
Ellsworth, NE 69340-6801
Plan Your Visit
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge provides numerous recreational opportunities to thousands of visitors each year. Whether boating, driving, or hiking, visitors enjoy viewing the unique geology and diverse wildlife found here such as the burrowing owl. Regulation of recreational activities allows for public enjoyment of the Refuge while still protecting the wildlife and their habitats.
The communities of Oshkosh and Alliance provide both campgrounds and hotels. Camping is also available at Nebraska Game and Parks' site, Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area, which is 50 miles north of the Refuge.
Visitor access to the Refuge is via gravel and one lane paved roads. Two-tracked mowed trails provide access within Refuge boundaries. Visitors must maintain the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour on gravel and pavement.
Activities
Get Involved
National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors, and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.
Services
About
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 as a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wild animals. Located in the Nebraska Panhandle within the largest continuous sand dune area in the United States, it protects a unique landscape of sub-irrigated meadows, uplands, and wetlands. Managed to fulfill the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, the refuge prioritizes wildlife conservation, biological diversity, and environmental health across its 46,000+ acres.