Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife refuge · Cleveland ·

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife refuge · Cleveland ·

Vast prairie refuge with diverse wildlife, bird watching, and scenic drives

Information

39679 Pony Lake Rd, Valentine, NE 69201 Get directions

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

51 Most Romantic Places in the U.S.A.

"It's a sprawling 70,000-acre refuge near the town of Valentine—whose name is a romantic novelty—designated an Audubon Important Bird Area and perfect for outdoorsy couples and birdwatchers." - Cailey Rizzo Cailey Rizzo Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. She specializes in reporting on travel, culture, and the arts. She is currently based in Brooklyn. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/romantic-getaways/most-romantic-destinations

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Mick K.

Google

Wow, a fire lookout tower in Nebraska! The walk was a perfect break from a long road trip. I especially appreciated the interpretive signs about the Ogalla Aquifer, the CCC story, and the Sandhills. The trail was mowed, with rest benches along the way. As the signs indicate there are small poison Ivy plants, so watch out! This is a perfect place to take in the silence and incredible expanse of Nebraska.

Nikki Rohde (.

Google

Visited here for upland game last October. Lots of prairie chickens but they are on the lookout so it’s hard to sneak up on them but we did get one. Saw lots of pheasants too especially during a brief rain. Lots of turkey and waterfowl too though we weren’t there for them. The lakes are lovely. The Sandhills formations are really beautiful especially at sunset/sunrise in the golden light. The dirt roads are level one, graded but in good condition. Good signage.

Wyatt W. P.

Google

There is a subtle beauty to the rolling sandhills and the wetlands below. The refuge has some nice gravel wildlife drives with plenty of boat launches. There is tons of wildlife in this place. It could use a few more hiking trails as there is only a couple. The mile hike to CCC fire tower is cool, but unfortunately you can't go all the way to the top.

adjustmode

Google

The Refuge itself is great but the lakes were ruined for fishing after the 2019 floods and 2023 winter kill. We may never see fishing like it was in our lifetime.

Jesse H.

Google

Roads are very accessible for any vehicle. Tons of great docks and boat launches. Definitely need a boat to get to better fishing spots. Beautiful scenery, and very quiet.

Andre H.

Google

I drove through the refuge recently for my second time and I really enjoyed the seclusion and silence (man-made noise anyway). The roads that I drove on were rough and four wheel drive is recommended. Bugs will be an issue so come prepared.

Scooter J.

Google

This place has amazingly clean and beautiful lake, Beautiful scenery, and hardly any people. I like the fact that they don't allow gasoline motors on any of the lakes. This is probably why they are so clean and it evens out the playing field for us poor boys that can't afford a big fancy boat. I didnt catch anything from the bank but the views and wildlife I got pictures of made the whole trip worth it.

Kassie K.

Google

Such a beautiful refuge! Was so happy to finally check this one off my list.

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

51 Most Romantic Places in the U.S.A.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/romantic-getaways/most-romantic-destinations

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Mick K.

Google

Nikki Rohde (.

Google

Wyatt W. P.

Google

adjustmode

Google

The Refuge itself is great but the lakes were ruined for fishing after the 2019 floods and 2023 winter kill. We may never see fishing like it was in our lifetime.

Jesse H.

Google

Roads are very accessible for any vehicle. Tons of great docks and boat launches. Definitely need a boat to get to better fishing spots. Beautiful scenery, and very quiet.

Andre H.

Google

Scooter J.

Google

Kassie K.

Google

Such a beautiful refuge! Was so happy to finally check this one off my list.

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Information

Postcards

Media

51 Most Romantic Places in the U.S.A.

You might also like

51 Most Romantic Places in the U.S.A.