Visit Us
The Refuge is currently closed to the public and has been since its establishment in 1985 due to the sensitive nature of the California Condor Recovery Program activities, sensitivity of its resources, and rugged terrain. However, staff and partner-led guided interpretive tours allow for limited opportunities for the public to engage in wildlife viewing and photography.
Friends of California Condors Wild and Free lead hikes at Bitter Creek NWR for events such as National Wildlife Refuge Week in October each year. Please check the homepage for the latest postings on guided hikes.
The part of the Refuge used for guided hiking must remain a safe viewing distance away from California condors to reduce interaction and contact. A small pull-off along the road allows visitors to safely park along the side of the road near the Refuge sign and engage in passive recreation such as bird watching. The Refuge is marked as closed to entry here, and posted signs continue along the road passing through the Refuge.
The Refuge encompasses the rolling foothills between the San Joaquin Valley and the coastal mountain range. Approximately two-thirds of the refuge is open grassland, providing valuable foraging habitat for California condors. Refuge visitors along Hudson Ranch Road may glimpse California condors soaring on warm thermal air currents or perched on steep hillsides, mule deer, tule elk, California quail, golden eagle, owls, and occasionally greater roadrunner.
You can also visit the Refuge virtually using the TimeLooper Xplore California Condor Recovery app available for free in the Google and Apple app stores.
You can find great access to wildlife, camping, hunting, fishing, and more nearby the Refuge on adjacent public lands, including the Carrizo Plain National Monument managed by the BLM, and the Los Padres National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Activities
The Refuge is currently closed to the public and has been since its establishment in 1985 due to the sensitive nature of the California Condor Recovery Program activities, sensitivity of its resources, and rugged terrain. However, staff and partner-led guided interpretive tours allow for limited opportunities for the public to engage in wildlife viewing and photography.
Friends of California Condors Wild and Free lead hikes at Bitter Creek NWR for events such as National Wildlife Refuge Week in October each year. Please check the Friends webpage, www.friendsofcondors.org for the latest postings on guided hikes.
The part of the Refuge used for guided hiking must remain a safe viewing distance away from California condors to reduce interaction and contact. A small pull-off along the road allows visitors to safely park along the side of the road near the Refuge sign and engage in passive recreation such as bird watching. The Refuge is marked as closed to entry here, and posted signs continue along the road passing through the Refuge.
Trails
The Refuge is currently closed to the public and has been since its establishment in 1985 due to the sensitive nature of the California Condor Recovery Program activities, sensitivity of its resources, and rugged terrain.
A virtual reality app, TimeLooper, was created in 2021 to provide a digital immersive experience for anyone interested in visiting the Refuge. The app can be downloaded for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Trails are available on adjacent public lands, including the Carrizo Plain National Monument managed by the BLM, and the Los Padres National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Rules and Policies
There is very limited access allowed on the Refuge, for both the protection of sensitive wildlife and for public safety.
There is no hunting allowed on the Refuge, however there is hunting allowed during appropriate seasons on other nearby land such as Tejon Ranch. For any questions, please call the Refuge Manager at (805) 644-5185.
To find other hunting opportunities and information, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife hunting website HERE.