Ouray

Plan Your Visit

Activities

Wildlife Observation

If you enjoy being outdoors and looking for wildlife, consider a visit to Ouray National Wildlife Refuge! From birding to viewing speedy pronghorn or slow-moving porcupines, wildlife observation is the most popular activity for Refuge visitors.

An auto tour road crosses through a variety of Refuge habitats providing excellent wildlife viewing. Visitors traveling this route will have opportunities to see ducks, geese, cranes, herons, and a variety of shorebirds in the Refuge wetland areas. The road meets the river where red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, great horned owls, songbirds, and porcupines may be seen in the cottonwood and willow trees. As the tour route travels up the clay bluffs onto the grasslands, white-tailed prairie dogs and pronghorns may be seen along with western meadowlarks, sage sparrows, and black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbits.

Spring and fall provide opportunities to see Canada geese and mallards. Species such as red-winged blackbirds, American goldfinches, horned larks, and savannah sparrows may also be seen in the croplands. Look for bald and golden eagles perched on nearby cottonwoods hunting for smaller bird and mammal species. From September through November mule deer and elk become more active and easier to see.

Hunting

Hunting on Ouray National Wildlife Refuge is permitted for ducks, geese, coots, pheasants, sandhill cranes, deer, elk, pronghorn and turkeys in designated areas with season and weapons restrictions.

Fishing

We have an accessible fishing pier on the Sheppard Bottom auto tour road. Most of Utah and the Refuge's fish species are non-native fish. The main fish to be caught in the Green River is channel catfish, but there are several other non-native and native fish species as well.

Interpretation

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge interpretation programs provide opportunities for visitors to make their own connections to the natural world. From self-guided walks to ranger-led programs, we help visitors connect to the wildlife and habitat behind the landscapes.

Environmental Education

We offer environmental education programs for a variety of audiences and host school groups for Refuge tours.

Photography

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge provides excellent opportunities to photograph wildlife in natural habitats by providing a platform, a viewing tower, brochures, viewing areas, and a tour route.

Other Activities

• Hiking is permitted on the Refuge aside from the "farm fields", which are signed.
• Biking
• Horseback riding
• Canoeing, rafting, and motorized boating are permitted on the Green River. Non-motorized boats may be used in wetland areas.
• Please note that off-road vehicle travel is prohibited.