Lost Mound habitats include about 5000 acres of dry-mesic and dry sand prairie. These areas range from open sand formats, called blowouts, to sparsely vegetated areas with bunch grasses and cacti, to taller denser prairies. The highest quality prairies tend to be located between the rows of bunkers in the southern portion of the refuge known as E area. Other habitats include oak savanna, dominated by black oak and open woodlands along the river dunes. Some of the black oaks in these areas are over 250 years old. Over 1000 acres of upland hardwood forest and small hill prairies are found at nearby Hanover Bluff conservation area.