Plan Your Visit

Lake Ladora in Autumn surrounded by cattails and cottonwood trees

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 15,000 acres of land. It’s a place where wildlife thrives and where visitors can reconnect with nature and experience the many wildlife-dependent opportunities the Refuge has to offer. 

Come walk the easy hiking trails, take the self-guided Wildlife Drive auto tour, observe more than 330 species of wildlife. It's all free! For a closer look at the Refuge take the Visual Tour or view the Trail/Wildlife Drive map.


Address, Directions and Contact Information

6550 Gateway Road
Commerce City, CO 80022
From I-70 exit at Quebec Street and go north. Travel approximately 2.8 miles to Prairie Parkway/64th Avenue. Turn right at Prairie Parkway and travel 0.6 miles to Gateway Road. Turn left at Gateway Road. Continue on Gateway Road until you pass through the Refuge entrance.
Visitor Center: 303-289-0930
Please note taxi service can be limited or intermittent. Contact RTD for information about bus route 62, which is located near the Refuge.

Refuge and Visitor Center Hours

The Refuge is open and visiting the Refuge is FREE. The Refuge is open sunrise to sunset daily. The trails and Wildlife Drive are open, the Visitor Center is closed. While visiting, please practice social distancing by maintaining six feet between you and your trail mates. Trail maps and a wildlife drive guide are available at the main entrance. For additional information please call the Visitor Center at 303-289-0930. Note the Refuge is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and closes at 12:30 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Visitor Center: The Visitor Center is located just inside the Refuge entrance at the crest of the hill and overlooks the short-grass prairie. Please note the Visitor Center is currently closed. Public parking is located on the south side of the building. The Visitor Center opened to the public in 2011. The building features the latest in “green” design, has an interactive exhibit hall, and a discovery room with hands-on activities that changes each season for all ages. While at the Visitor Center, stop by Nature’s Nest Books & Gifts operated by the Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges for nature gifts, games, guide books and more. It’s also a great place to find Colorado specialty items. 

 

Other Facilities

• Black-footed ferret exhibit featuring two live ferrets (open Wednesday - Sunday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm) - Indoor exhibit is currently closed.

• Lake Mary Learning Center/Environmental Education Facility

• Floating boardwalk at Lake Mary, and Lake Ladora

• Fishing and observation piers at Lake Mary 

• Observation viewing area at Lower Derby Lake 

• Ten parking lots 

• Outdoor restrooms at four locations

• Three outdoor amphitheaters

 

Know Before You Go

Visiting the Refuge is free! The Wildlife Drive road conditions may be icy or snow packed in the winter, as the route is not always plowed. Trail conditions vary on the Refuge throughout the year so please be prepared. To protect wildlife, please stay on designated trails and roadways. Pets are not allowed but assistance dogs are welcome. The Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Refuge will close at 12:30 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The Visitor Center is currently closed.