- Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge39650 Sand Lake Drive Columbia, SD 57433
The refuge is open during daylight hours only. The visitor center restrooms are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Refuge interior lands, gates, and roads, including Wildlife Drive are open to the general public from April 1 through mid-October. Walk-in only access is allowed from February 1 to April 1. Roads may close periodically after April 1 due to weather conditions.
Driving DirectionsThe refuge is located 27 miles northeast of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Directions to Sand Lake from Aberdeen: Take State Highway 12 east six miles to Brown County Highway 16 at Bath corner. Turn north onto Brown County 16 and follow brown directional signs. Headquarters visitor center is located on Brown County Highway 16 approximately 8 miles north of Columbia, SD. Or take State Highway 281 north to Highway 10 east. Travel on Highway 10 to Brown County 16. Follow brown directional signs to refuge headquarters, three miles south on Highway 16.
Refuge HoursDailySunrise - SunsetHeadquarters and Visitor Center HoursMonday through Friday,8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed on all federal holidays)