Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge offers everyone a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Visitors to the refuge are encouraged to travel the wildlife drive where they can see the majestic granite rock outcrops, numerous wildlife and a diversity of habitats that the refuge protects.  

The tallgrass prairie region is one of extremes. Temperatures can drop to well below -20° F in the winter months and rise to 90° F during the summer months. Summertime also marks the season for fast moving thunderstorms. Dress appropriately and bring extra clothing along with weather appropriate head protection. Keep an eye to the sky and check the weather forecast before your outing as daily weather conditions can bring dramatic change! Insect repellent is also a good idea as warm weather brings mosquitoes and ticks.

Driving Directions

The refuge office is located approximately eight miles east of Ortonville, Minnesota and one-half mile west of Odessa, Minnesota. From Highway 7/75, take Big Stone County Road 19 south approximately three-quarters of a mile. The refuge headquarters is on the west side of the road.

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
44843 County Road 19
Odessa, MN 56276
Phone: 320-273-2191
Email: BigStone@fws.gov

Fees

There is no charge to visit.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available inside the visitor center and refuge headquarters. Comfort stations are located by one of the parking lots within the auto tour route.

Points of Interest

Rock Outcrops

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge is named for the 100 acres of granite outcrops. These bare rock areas support unusual species of endangered cactus including the ball cactus. Some of these rock outcrops are very large and offer amazing panoramic views of the entire refuge and its wide variety of wildlife. Species that use this habitat the most are skinks, common nighthawks and snakes.

Ball Cactus

Ball cactus is a state listed endangered plant and is found on the granite rock outcrops on the refuge. This is a warm season cactus that flowers in June and July and produces fruits in the fall. When you visit the refuge, you may encounter this cactus along the Rock Outcrop Trail, which is accessible from the auto tour route. Another cactus that you might encounter along this trail and other outcrops is the brittle prickly pear.

Wetlands

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge historically offered a combination of small wetlands and abundant prairie – both critical to waterfowl breeding and nesting. Small wetlands – some temporary and some permanent - provided not only nesting habitat, but also food and shelter for egrets, herons and other waterbirds. The Highway 75 dam created two impoundments, referred to as the West and East Pools, that added an additional 4,250 acres of wetlands to the refuge. Water levels in these two pools can be managed to provide the right mix of plants and waters during different seasons. Refuge wetlands support a diversity of wildlife by providing resting, feeding and nesting for birds. Keep an eye out for snapping turtles, western tiger salamanders, frogs and toads when you visit these habitats. Along the banks and edges of wetlands, you can also find mink, river otter and ground squirrels.

Tallgrass Prairie

Abundant grasslands that once covered west central Minnesota were critical for nesting waterfowl and a variety of other birds. This is typical tallgrass prairie country where only occasional oak trees can be found. The refuge is fortunate to have 1,245 acres of remnant or unplowed tallgrass prairie. Remnant tallgrass prairie once covered more than 25 million acres of Minnesota and Iowa. The original tallgrass prairie is mostly gone now with only one-tenth of one percent remaining and is arguably the rarest habitat in North America.

What To Do

Hunting

The refuge offers public hunting opportunities consistent with state designated seasons and regulations. Please note that waterfowl hunting is not allowed. Species open to hunting include: gray partridge, cottontail rabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, gray and fox squirrel, pheasant, turkey, and white-tailed deer. For more information about where you can hunt on refuge lands, and specific regulations regarding hunting, please refer to refuge public use regulations. Refuge hunting season dates and regulations are consistent with those established by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Contact the refuge manager at 320-273-2191 for more information.

Fishing

Fishing is a popular activity at the refuge, with some of the most popular places to fish along reservoir levees and spillways. Fishing from the banks of the Minnesota and Yellowbank Rivers are also productive. You're also welcome to use the fishing platforms that are located on the refuge along with the East Pool during the winter months for ice fishing.

For more information and specific regulations regarding fishing on the refuge please refer to Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge Public Use Regulations. Refuge fishing season dates and regulations are consistent with those established by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. For additional information, contact the refuge at 320-273-2191.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities are abundant on the refuge. During spring and fall migration you can see up to 17 species of waterfowl and more than 23 species of shorebirds. Look for waterfowl species like mallards, blue-winged teal, Canada geese and northern shovelers. You might also encounter common shorebird species like killdeer, yellowlegs and sandpipers. During your visit, you’ll also have the chance to see birds of prey like bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and kestrels. During the spring and summer months, birds like bobolinks, meadowlarks, marsh wrens and Virginia rails breed and nest on the refuge.

Other animals to look for year-round include: beaver, mink, white-tailed deer and river otters. Spring and summer offer great chances to see thirteen-lined ground squirrel, snapping turtles, frogs and salamanders. For a detailed list of wildlife on the refuge see the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge species list.

If you have one hour

Take self-guided tours in the auto tour route, along trails, using kiosks and interpretive signs to explore our refuge! Enjoy the tallgrass prairies, wetlands and river woodlands that this area has to offer. During hunting seasons, consider wearing blaze orange for your safety.

If you have half a day or more

Perhaps the fastest growing activity on national wildlife refuges in the past 10 years has been wildlife photography. That’s not surprising – the digital camera population explosion and cell phones with ever-improving picture-taking abilities are increasing the number of nature photographers at a rapid rate. You don’t need to purchase expensive equipment or have any experience to get started. A small camera or basic cell phone will do just fine for most visitors. During hunting seasons, consider wearing blaze orange for your safety.

Nearly 12 million people visit outdoor areas each year to photograph wildlife and national wildlife refuges naturally are at the top of the list. Refuges provide enhanced opportunities to photograph wildlife in natural habitats by providing platforms, brochures, interpreters, viewing areas and tour routes. Wildlife photography is a high-priority activity in the National Wildlife Refuge System. We welcome beginning and expert photographers alike to record their outdoor adventures on film, memory card or internal hard drive.

Know Before You Go

Keep an eye to the sky and check the weather forecast before your outing as daily weather conditions can bring dramatic change! Insect repellent is also a good idea as warm weather brings mosquitoes and ticks.

Visitor Tips

The tallgrass prairie region is one of extremes. Temperatures can drop to well below -20° F in the winter months and rise to 90° F during the summer months. Summertime also marks the season for fast moving thunderstorms. Dress appropriately and bring extra clothing along with weather appropriate head protection.