If you’ve made a few stops on the Kenmare Talking Trail, you know that there is an abundance of opportunities to explore and immerse yourself in nature in and around Kenmare and the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge.

Maybe instead of hunting birds, you prefer to spot them through the lens of your camera? Perhaps you’d rather visit the refuge on a crisp fall day from the warmth of your car, sipping apple cider as you roll down the scenic backway instead of lacing up your boots for a walk through nature. Maybe your favorite mode of transportation is a kayak, cross-country skis, or even snowshoes? However you wish to explore, the Des Lacs Refuge will not disappoint. While there, reserve a bit of time to make a stop at the Refuge Headquarters.

The interpretive displays at the headquarters invite you to dig a little deeper into the early history of the area. Learn about habitat management and waterfowl production. Discover information about grassland birds, grebes, sharp-tailed grouse, and butterflies, all frequent residents of this bountiful area. While wildlife observation is permitted year-round in all open public use areas and nature trails, a viewing scope on the observation deck at Refuge Headquarters allows you to get up close and personal, through the glass of course, with waterfowl on Middle Des Lacs Lake. You are sure to see some of the 250 species of birds on the refuge through the scope!

Depending on when you visit, you may be lucky enough to partake in a special event or program the refuge staff hosts throughout the year, all organized in an effort to conserve the ecology and the natural character of the northern plains region through education.