Crescent Lake Refugespring migration

Waterfowl migration begins in March and peaks in early April, with about 20,000 birds using the refuge each day, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: from March, peaking in early April. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: from March, peaking in early April, local timing.

Take care: as of September 2026 the refuge warns that after a recent wildfire and extreme dry conditions, its trails and roads may be impassable even with four-wheel drive. Use extreme caution if you leave the county roads.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Not on the refuge: overnight parking isn't allowed. Oshkosh and Alliance have campgrounds and hotels, and there's camping at Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area, 50 miles north.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Yes, on a leash: dogs off leash are prohibited except during legitimate hunting seasons.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Both: movement starts in March and peaks in early April. Its figure of about 20,000 birds a day describes the refuge in general, not a live count.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Yes. Of the 31 waterfowl species the refuge lists, 15 nest there; blue-winged teal and mallards are the main nesters.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

It provides nesting tubs for them. Watch from a distance and never approach a nest.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

In 1931. It lies 28 miles north of Oshkosh, Nebraska, in Garden County.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The refuge has 21 lakes and many ponds, fed by the Ogallala Aquifer under the Sandhills.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The most common nesters are Canada geese, mallards, blue-winged teal, northern shovelers, gadwall, northern pintails, redheads and ruddy ducks; trumpeter swans have nested on several lakes, currently at Gimlet Lake.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Self-guided auto tour route: the refuge's suggested first stop. Roads here are gravel and one-lane pavement with a 35 mph limit, and the refuge is open sunrise to sunset; Nature Trail: the 2.07-mile trail on the refuge's trails page; hiking is allowed in all areas open to the public, and two-track mowed trails lead through the refuge.

Waterfowl migration begins in March, peaking in early April (Mar–Apr), Grouse dance in mid-April (Apr), Giant Canada geese nest, and goslings appear in late April (Apr), Spiderwort, yucca, prickly pear and the endangered blowout penstemon bloom in June (Jun) and Migrating blue-winged teal begin arriving in August (Aug).