Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931, and is located 28 miles north of Oshkosh, Nebraska in Garden County. It is administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and is within the Central Flyway. This little known refuge is located in the Nebraska panhandle and is within the largest continuous
Maybe — confirm before you go.
This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
- Fee type Fee unknown — The fee structure here is unconfirmed.
- Source Find on Recreation.gov ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Check
- Official pagewww.recreation.gov ↗
- Contact (308) 762-4893 · crescentlake@fws.gov
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
Depends Does the America the Beautiful pass work here?
Maybe — This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go. Check with the managing agency before you go.
Yes Can you fish at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
Yes — fishing is one of the listed activities here. You’ll need a valid state fishing license.
Yes Can you kayak, paddle, or boat here?
Yes — there’s water for boating and paddling at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Hand-launched craft usually need no permit; motorized boats may need registration or a launch fee.
Yes Can you watch wildlife or birds here?
Yes — Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a spot for wildlife and bird watching. Keep your distance and never feed animals.
Depends Is hunting allowed?
Yes — hunting is permitted here in season, with the required state license and tags. Check seasons and unit rules.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Often restricted to protect wildlife — many refuges limit or prohibit pets. Check this refuge before you go.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Wildlife Refuge land.
Nearby sites
NPS photo National Park Service Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
ConfirmedFree entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area
CheckReclamation honors the pass at only a handful of sites — confirm before you rely on it here.