Facility Activities

Hunting

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge was created to help offset the loss of wetlands throughout the prairies of the Midwest and today provides important habitat for waterfowl in Colorado. To create wetlands, water is diverted from the Illinois River and directed through a complex system of ditches...

Fishing

The refuge offers fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The Illinois River is the only area on the refuge open to fishing. The refuge is closed to fishing June 1-July 31 to reduce impact on nesting birds. The river ices over by November and does not typically open again until May. Fall (...

Hiking
Take your pick of 2,100 miles of refreshing trails and boardwalks. Whether you want a short, easy walk or a challenging hike, you’re likely to find what you want. Some trails are paved and universally accessible. Some trails include displays on visual arts, local history and culture or environmental education.
Wildlife watching
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.