Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of the nation's oldest Refuges, established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt as a reserve and breeding ground for native birds. Located in the famous Prairie Pothole Region of the United States, the Refuge and surrounding area provides breeding and resting habitat for more than 293 bird species. The Refuge is home to North America's largest nesting colony of American white pelicans, with 33,000 birds counted in 2002. Chase Lake NWR has been designated as one of America's Top 100 Globally Important Bird Areas (IBA) by the American Bird Conservancy.

Chase Lake NWR is located 10 miles north and 7 miles west of Medina, North Dakota. From Jamestown, travel west on I-94 to the Medina exit. Turn north and go 11 miles on County Highway 68. Turn west on the gravel road and drive 7 miles. Turn south and go 1 mile. The last 5 miles are "prairie trail" road. This is a minimum maintenance road that can be difficult to travel during wet conditions. However, this very scenic drive provides visitors a glimpse of how this country appeared during pre-settlement times.