General Regulations and Visitor Recreational Opportunities

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Seedskadee Refuge provides numerous recreation opportunities to hundreds of visitors every year.  People enjoy viewing the unique scenery and diverse wildlife, whether boating, driving, horseback riding, bird/wildlife watching, photographing, hiking, hunting, fishing, or taking part in historical interpretation.  Regulation of recreation activities allow for public enjoyment of the Refuge while still protecting the wildlife and habitats found on the unique landscape along the Green River in SW Wyoming's high desert plains.

Refuge Hours

Seedskadee Refuge is open from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour before sunset, with the exception of waterfowl hunters possessing a valid hunting license, engaged in a waterfowl hunt; who may enter the Refuge 1 hour before legal shooting hours to set up decoys or blinds.  Office and Visitor's Center hours are 7:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.  However, we do encourage you to call ahead to ensure Headquarters is open, as we are a small staff, who are often out in the field.  

General Regulations

Dogs must be on a leash, see "Hunting" section for exceptions.  

Collecting antlers, artifacts, plants, animals, and minerals is prohibited.  

No overnight parking or camping is allowed.

For questions, please contact the refuge office 307-875-2187, or try the frequently asked questions list.

Motorized Vehicle, Bicycle, and Horseback Travel

Visitors can access the Refuge via the Auto Tour Route or through a number of other access roads through surrounding BLM land.  Only a few of the Refuge roads are graveled and maintained.  Most roads are unmaintained two-tracks that one should approach with caution, aware of current and predicted weather conditions.  

• Refuge roads have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour and require all motor vehicles to be licenced and driven in accordance with state law.  
• Parking is allowed in designated parking areas and within 10 feet of Refuge roads. 
• No overnight parking is allowed on the Refuge.  
• To limit erosion and to protect plants and wildlife, mechanized vehicles are permitted only on numbered Refuge roads that are designated as open. Seasonal road closures may occur.
• Operation of mechanized vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off of number roads designated as open is illegal. Off-road vehicle travel is not permitted for retrieving downed game. 
• ATVs (motorcycles, quadricycles, UTVs etc.) belonging to Wyoming residents must be street legal and have a metal license plate. Operators must also posses the proper driver's license.  Non-resident ATV owners must also have their ATV licenced and street legal by Wyoming state law requirements.  If your state does not require licensing, please contact Wyoming Game and Fish Department for more information on ATV licensing in Wyoming.  Anyone intending to operate an ATV on the Refuge should contact the Refuge staff to ensure the ATV meets the necessary requirements for legal operation. 
• Some access roads cross non-refuge lands. Please exercise courtesy and respect private property.
• Drivers should be prepared for emergencies and changing conditions. Always carry shovels, tire chains, first aid kits, and emergency food and water.
• Bicycles may be used only on numbered or designated open roads.  Bicycles may not be used on seasonally closed roads or service/administrative roads.
• Horseback riding is allowed across the entire Refuge. 

Hiking, Wildlife Observation, and Photography

Hiking is allowed and encouraged across all of Seedskadee NWR, as is wildlife observation and photography.  Please minimize disturbance to plants and animals, especially breeding/nesting animals or animals with young.  Trumpeter swans are especially sensitive to disturbance, please remain at least 400 yards away from any individual.

Camping

Camping is not allowed on the Refuge.  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) operates 3 campgrounds upstream of the Refuge: Slate Creek, Weeping Rock and Tailrace.  Slate Creek and Weeping Rock are only a few river miles away from the northern Refuge boundary at County Road 8 Bridge (CCC) and at the base of Fontenelle Dam, respectively.  Contact BLM Kemmerer field office (307-828-4500) for regulations on camping on BLM ground outside the Refuge boundary or for more information on the established campgrounds.  

Fishing

 Fishing is allowed in accordance with Wyoming State regulations.  Special Fishing Regulations are in effect on the Green River from CCC Bridge of County Road 8 (2½ miles upstream of the northern Refuge boundary) to the confluence with the Big Sandy River (5 miles downstream of the Highway 28 bridge) for a total of 25 river miles.  Only artificial flies and lures may be used and creel limit is one trout per day or in possession, with all trout less than 20 inches immediately released.  General state creel limits and regulations apply downstream of the Green River's confluence with the Big Sandy River.  Visit the  Wyoming Game and Fish Department website for more information on fishing regulations on the Green River and Big Sandy River.   

Boating

The Green River is a shallow, swift river with many rocks hidden beneath the surface.  It is best suited for canoes, drift boats, and rafts.  Motors are not recommended.  Personal water craft, air boats, and jet boats are also not recommended.  Boats must be equipped and operated in accordance with Wyoming boating laws, including the new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) laws, which can be found at the Wyoming Game and Fish AIS page.  

Hunting

 Hunting is permitted in designated areas of the Refuge for the following species only in accordance with all Wyoming Game and Fish Department regulations.  The Refuge is open, in accordance with Wyoming Game and Fish Department regulations, for mule deer, pronghorn, moose, ducks, coots, dark geese, sage grouse, mergansers, mourning doves, cottontail rabbits, snipe, rails, skunks, red fox, jackrabbits, and raccoons.  Shooting prairie dogs, coyotes, and other species not listed above is strictly prohibited.  Hunters should be familiar with Wyoming state hunting regulations and special refuge hunting regulations.  A downloadable hunting and fishing regulations brochure and map is available among the links at the upper left side of this page.    

•  Several areas on the Refuge are closed to hunting.  One large area around Headquarters is closed to ALL hunting: North from Highway 28 to headquarters offices and housing to the first watergap cattle guard north of headquarters and west to the boundary and east to the Green River, including all islands except triple island.  A second area is closed to migratory bird hunting: South from Highway 28 to the watergap south of the Dunkle Wetland Unit, west to the boundary and east to the Green River, excluding the islands.  See the Hunting and Fishing Regulations map for a better description. 
•  Waterfowl hunters with a valid hunting license engaged in a waterfowl hunt may may enter the Refuge 1 hour before legal shooting hours to set up decoys or blinds. 
•  Only portable blinds or blinds constructed from dead, downed wood may be used.  Cutting of standing live or dead vegetation or digging pit blinds are prohibited.  Only portable tree stands which do not damage trees are permitted.  All blinds, tree stands, and decoys must be removed from the Refuge daily. 
•  Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law.  Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). 
• Firearms and dangerous weapons possession in Federal facilities (buildings) is prohibited by Title 18, U.S.C., Section 930.
• Federally approved non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting.  Possession of lead shotgun shells while hunting is prohibited.
• Off-road vehicle travel is not permitted for retrieving downed game.
• Dog must be confined or leashed, except when participating in a legal hunt for sage grouse or migratory game birds.
• Ammunition casings are litter.  Littering on the Refuge is prohibited.
• Commercial guiding for any hunting activities is not permitted.
• Use or possession of alcohol while hunting is prohibited.

Firearms

Firearms and other weapons are subject to state law.  At all times, persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on the refuge must comply with all provisions of state law.  Firearms may only be discharged in accordance with refuge hunting regulations, i.e., only during the lawful pursuit of game during legal seasons.

*For questions on why our regulations are in place, contact the Refuge headquarters or refer to our Comprehensive Conservation Plan, for justification and explanations to our regulations.