Photo: Sandra Uecker/USFWS · Public domain, cropped to fit and resized
Valentine Refugewildlife
Wildlife refugeAt Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, spring, when the grouse gather on their leks, is the best time to see them up close, from reserved blinds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Checked against 2 official sources · How we check →
About Valentine Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in Nebraska
- A little history
- On its two walking trails for birding and wildlife viewing: the Civilian Conservation Corps Fire Tower Trail and the Marsh Lake Overlook.
- What you'll see
- Grouse on their leks · best viewing spring
- Before you go
- Reservations: Reserve a blind to watch the spring lek displays.
Your guide to the area
- Pin color, each place's season now or next:
- Spring
Places on this map (2)
Where to watch
Civilian Conservation Corps Fire Tower Trail
Best spot
One of the refuge's two walking trails for birding and wildlife viewing
Marsh Lake Overlook
Best spot
The refuge's other walking trail for birding and wildlife viewing
Around Valentine Refuge
Next season here: Grouse on their leks, spring.
The year at Valentine Refuge
- Grouse on their leksspring
- Coyotes dig dens and raise pupsspring
- Coyotes on the frozen lakesearly winter mornings
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge?
Best viewing: spring. Spring, when the grouse gather on their leks, is the best time to see them up close, from reserved blinds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Is it the season at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: spring, local timing.
When can I watch grouse dance at Valentine Refuge?
In spring, when they gather on their leks: the refuge calls it the best time to see them up close, and it provides reserved blinds for viewing and photography.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When am I most likely to see coyotes at Valentine Refuge?
On an early winter morning, as they travel across the frozen lakes.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where can I walk at Valentine Refuge?
On its two walking trails for birding and wildlife viewing: the Civilian Conservation Corps Fire Tower Trail and the Marsh Lake Overlook.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Valentine National Wildlife Refuge?
The best spots are Civilian Conservation Corps Fire Tower Trail and Marsh Lake Overlook. Civilian Conservation Corps Fire Tower Trail: one of the refuge's two walking trails for birding and wildlife viewing. Marsh Lake Overlook: the refuge's other walking trail for birding and wildlife viewing.
What is Valentine National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge has something to see in 6 months of the year. Grouse on their leks: Mar–May. Coyotes dig dens and raise pups: Apr–May. Coyotes on the frozen lakes: Dec–Feb.