Laws and Regulations

  • Visitation is allowed only during daylight hours.  
  • The possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. 
  • Travel by motor vehicle is allowed only on designated roads. 
  • Hunters must park in a designated hunter parking area while participating in hunting activities. Please check with the Refuge manager for further details.  
  • Roads throughout the Refuge are graveled, and visitors must maintain the posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour.
  • No overnight parking is allowed on the Refuge except for Little White River Recreation Area.
  • The non-wildlife dependent activities of motorized boating picnicking, and camping are only allowed at the Little White River Recreation Area. See the "Visit Us" page look under "Activities" for more information on boating. 
  • Hiking is allowed in all areas open to the public.
  • Wildlife observation and photography are encouraged.  See the most recent Bird List (March 2019) here.
  • Please stay out of closed areas to minimize disturbance to plants and animals.
  • Bicycling and horseback riding is allowed on Refuge public access routes that have signs and are open to motor vehicles.
  • Fishing is allowed on all waters of the Refuge in accordance with state regulations.
  • Sport hunting is permitted on the Refuge in accordance with all state and federal regulations. Hunters should consult the South Dakota state hunting regulations.
  • Special Refuge hunting regulations also apply.
An aerial view of pelican island.
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act

The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act provides authority, guidelines and directives for the Service to improve the National Wildlife Refuge System; administers a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife and plant...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Improvement Act

The National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Improvement Act authorizes cooperative agreements with nonprofit partner organizations, academic institutions, or State and local governments to construct, operate, maintain, or improve refuge facilities and services, and to promote volunteer, outreach, and...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties