Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge Public Use Information
Acreage 41,568 acres
Hunting
The Refuge does allow hunting and spring turkey hunting is allowed;
see our Hunting brochure and Hunting
Seasons brochure for dates and more information. Trapping is
prohibited.
Fishing
The Refuge does allow fishing; the gate into Potter's Pond will
open April 26, 2013. See our Fishing
brochure for dates and more information.
Road Closures
The gates into the Refuge on Bear Creek Road by Refuge HQ and the
Startvation Lake entrance open April 14 as well as the gates into
Starvation Flat and Blacktail Mountain Road. In mid April roads
at higher elevations may still be ice and snow covered and not passable.
Roads to all the established campgrounds open April 14 except the
road into Potter's Pond/Bayley Lake which opens the last Friday
in April. The Refuge is closed to all unauthorized vehicle traffic
from January 1 through April 13, except on Bear Creek Road from
Headquarters west to the Refuge Boundary, and on Buffalo-Wilson,
Narcisse Creek and Olson Creek Roads which are open year round.
Hours of Operation
Refuge Headquarters is open year round (except for Federal holidays)
Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors may access
the Refuge year round at any hour, however our gates are closed
to vehicle traffic January 1 through April 13. Fees are not collected
for visitor use.
Vehicles
All state traffic laws apply on Refuge roads. Vehicles operating
on Refuge roads must be “street legal” with current registration,
have mufflers, license plates and be in proper operating condition.
Vehicles must remain on established roads open to the public. The
speed limit for Refuge roads is 25 miles per hour. Park vehicles
along roadsides but do not block any roads, gates or trails. Roads
may be closed to unauthorized motorized vehicle travel with an “Authorized
Vehicles Only” sign. Authorization must be obtained from the Refuge
Manager.
ATV's, ORV's Snowmobiles
ATV and ORV use is prohibited on all Refuge lands. Snowmobiles are
allowed only on Olson Creek Road and the Flodell Snow-Park parking
area.
Campgrounds
Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds with metal fire
rings from April 14 through December 31. Remove all garbage, including
horse manure, straw and hay.Do not feed wild animals. Do not leave
food outside overnight. No drinkable water is available on the Refuge.
Do not leave campfires unattended. Cutting, defacing or damaging
live trees is prohibited. Use only dead and down trees for firewood
– do not cut down snags. Campfire restrictions will be posted in
all campgrounds and at Headquarters kiosk.
Dispersed Hunting Campsites
Dispersed hunting campsites are open from October 1 through December
31. Campsites must be within 50 feet of designated dispersed campsite
markers. Bury all solid human waste in a
hole 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp or trails.
Do not leave campfires unattended. Cutting, defacing or damaging
live trees is prohibited. Use only dead and down trees for firewood
– do not cut down snags.
Camping Limits
There is a 7-day camping limit within a 30-day consecutive period
in all designated campgrounds from April 14 thorough September 30.
There is a 14-day camping limit within a 30-day consecutive period
in all designated campgrounds and dispersed hunting campsites from
October 1 thorough December 31.
Firewood
Firewood cutting for off-Refuge use is allowed by permit only. Firewood
cutting for Refuge campground and dispersed hunting camps is allowed
using dead and down material only- do not cut snags. All visitors
must follow Industrial Fire Precaution Levels posted at Headquarters
kiosk.
Group Use
A special use permit is required for all activities involving groups
exceeding 25 persons or 10 horses.
Pets
Pets are not allowed to roam at large, and must be under control
at all times. The use of dogs for hunting is allowed for legal bird
hunting only.
Horses
Camping with horses is only permitted in Bear Creek and Horse Camps.
Confined horses must be at least 100 feet from streams or other
water bodies. Horses cannot be tied directly to trees. Horses must
be confined in camp by hitch rails, tied to a high picket line,
or confined in portable corrals. Visitors must provide food for
their horses. Remove all garbage, horse manure, and excess straw
and hay. Horseback riding is only allowed on maintained roads and
trails.
Firearms
Discharging firearms is prohibited except when legally hunting.
Discharge of a firearm within one-quarter mile of any maintained
building or designated campground is prohibited. Loaded weapons
in a vehicle and target shooting are prohibited.
Other Weapons
Possession or use of cross bows, bows and arrows, air guns, spears,
gigs or other weapons is prohibited unless legally hunting.
Resource Collecting
The collection of any plant or animal or parts thereof is prohibited
except the following: licensed hunting and fishing in accordance
with state and federal law, shed antler collection and berry and
mushroom picking for non-commercial use. Prospecting, mining, or
the search and removal of objects of antiquity or objects of value
are not allowed.
Miscellaneous
Swimming and bathing are prohibited in all Refuge waters. Bicycles
are allowed only on maintained roads and trails. No spotlighting
(including vehicle headlights). Abandoning, discarding, or leaving
any personal property on the Refuge is prohibited. Littering is
prohibited.Carrying or possessing fireworks or explosives is prohibited.
Special permits are required for commercial guiding on the Refuge.
Making noise that disturbs Refuge wildlife and visitors is prohibited.
The provisions of these special Refuge regulations supplement Title
50, Code of Federal Regulations, which govern public activities
on National Wildlife Refuges. If you observe any violations, destruction
of property or wildlife habitats, please report them to the Refuge
Manager.
For more information contact:
Refuge Manager
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
1310 Bear Creek Road,
Colville, WA 99114
509/684-8384
