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General Refuge Regulations

  • By law, recreational activities on national wildlife refuges are prohibited unless expressly permitted.
  • Information and detailed regulations for permitted recreational activities are available on our website’s Activity pages and in our printed brochures.
  • Motor vehicles and bicycles are restricted to public roads and recreation area parking lots. Parked vehicles should not block gates.
  • Dogs must remain leashed, except when used for hunting.
  • Plants, animals, artifacts, and other natural materials are protected and may not be disturbed.
  • The Refuge is open daily from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
     

Prohibited Activities

  • Use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, and other off-road vehicles.
  • Recreational water sports, with the exception of canoeing or kayaking on designated trails.
  • Climbing, entering or otherwise tampering with water control structures.
  • Searching for or removal of any natural items such as antlers, skulls, plants, and/or historic and archaeological features protected by Federal law.
  • Horseback riding.
  • Camping.
  • Open fires and fireworks.
  • Launching, landing, or flying drones or other unmanned aircraft systems on or over refuge lands.
  • Use of electronic or photographic trail monitoring devices (i.e. game cameras).
  • Use or possession of alcoholic beverages.
  • Littering.
  • Fishing.
Explore more:
Rules and Policies of Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service