Visit Us
National wildlife refuges and wetland management districts offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.
Litchfield Wetland Management District (WMD) provides a number of great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The tallgrass prairies and wetlands host a diversity of plant and animal species and make for some great wildlife observation areas as well as other recreational activities.
Driving Directions
Our office is located three miles south of the city of Litchfield on 615th Avenue.
Fees
There is no charge to visit.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available inside the district office.
Points of Interest
The 156 waterfowl production areas (WPAs) and four Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge tracts, all of which are open to the public, are spread across our district in Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties in south-central Minnesota. These units host a mosaic of lands and waters that provide a number of public use opportunities ranging from great hunting locations to wildlife observation sites.
What To Do
If you have 15 minutes
- Take a stroll on the boardwalk located next to the district headquarters in Litchfield, Minnesota.
If you have one hour
- Take a walk on one of our waterfowl production areas. Make sure to capture some photographs!
If you have half a day or more
- Go hiking, hunting, fishing, or foraging.
Know Before You Go
As with any outdoor activity, please come prepared for the weather conditions. Several of our waterfowl production areas have parking areas and interpretive information. However, most units are natural landscapes with diverse terrain, including tallgrass prairie, wetlands and woodlots with no facilities. Bring everything you need for the day, including sunscreen, water, insect repellant, proper footwear, and remember to take home any trash.
Visitor Tips
The districts federally owned public lands are spread out throughout seven counties. It is always a good idea to examine the district map to assist in planning your visit.
Map Disclaimer
Currently, our maps are under construction and we are working on improving the accuracy of our content. If you have any questions please contact us. Thank you for your patience!
Activities
District lands are open year round for many types of activities that are compatible with maintaining tallgrass prairie habitat and do not jeopardize waterfowl production. To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please be sure to review the district regulations before visiting.
Trails
Office Boardwalk
Open season: Open year round from dawn to dusk, but not cleared of snow during the winter
Length: 300 yards
Location of trail: Adjacent to the district office parking lot
Surface: Paved, wooden boardwalk
Difficulty: ADA Compliant
Information: The boardwalk allows you to get a close look at a prairie wetland. There are two viewing stops and one of them has a bench available. The paved part of the walk is adjacent to a pollinator plot that is planted with native tallgrass prairie species.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Rules and Policies
Welcome to your wetland management districts. District lands are open every day for you to discover new places to hunt, fish, take pictures, watch wildlife, pick wild edibles (for personal use), trap, hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe and canoe.
To report a wildlife violation, call 1-844-397-8477 or email FWS_TIPS@FWS.GOV.
Hunting, fishing and trapping seasons generally follow state seasons and regulations. Please consult the district manager at 320-693-2849 if you have questions.
To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please be aware of these regulations.
Please also visit the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge's rules and policies page for addition information about the national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge units that we manage. We currently have four that are adjacent to waterfowl production areas.
For more information on Refuge Law Enforcement in general, you can visit the Refuge Law Enforcement page.