

General
Bitter Lake NWR offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The
refuge is open year round during daylight hours (dawn to dusk). No entrance
fee is required. Headquarters office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Restroom facilities are available at the headquarters
office during open hours and are also available on the wildlife drive.

Hiking
Four
short (less than 0.5 miles each) and two longer
(1.5 - 4 miles) hiking trails are
available adjacent to the wildlife drive or Refuge
headquarters. Also the entire north tract (12,160
acres) of the refuge, including the wilderness area,
is open to hiking and horseback riding.
Description of
Trails.pdf
Hunting
Waterfowl,
sandhill crane, quail, dove, pheasant and deer hunting
are available at the refuge. Contact the refuge
for updated hunting regulations and season dates
at (505) 622-6755 or by e-mailing Steve
Alvarez at steve_alvarez@fws.gov.
Hunting
Regulations.pdf
Fishing
Fishing is prohibited at Bitter Lake NWR to protect rare native fish.

Wildlife Observation & Photography
The refuge offers excellent nature photography and wildlife viewing opportunities. The eight-mile wildlife drive is one of the best ways to observe wildlife. If you enjoy dragonfly watching, try taking the short Dragonfly Trail less than one mile on the wildlife drive.
Bicycling
Bike riding is permitted on the eight-mile gravel wildlife drive or the refuge's paved four mile (round trip) bike trail.
Guided
Tours
Endangered species tours are regularly scheduled from October through May on the first Saturday of each month. These special tours take visitors into areas normally closed to the public to be shown some of the unique sinkholes and springs protected by the refuge. Reservations required.