In the distance the Wind River Mountain Range to the north and the Wyoming Range to the west provide the snowmelt that sustains the Green River which flows through Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. The Green River is an oasis that bisects the high desert sagebrush steppe of southwest Wyoming. Surrounding sagebrush steppe is nearly a desert with an average of 4-8" of annual precipitation. The river corridor is vital for more than 300 species of resident and migrant wildlife, ranging from moose, pronghorn, elk, sage grouse, trumpeter swans, Wilsons warblers, bitterns to short horned lizards, kokanee salmon and cutthroat trout. The abundant open space allows the refuge to offer a number of public recreation opportunities.

Latest News

Aerial view of a small island with sand and green vegetation on it, surrounded by deep blue water
Get Involved
A Beginner’s Guide to the National Wildlife Refuge System
Not quite sure what the National Wildlife Refuge System is and all that it encompasses? This primer gives a quick overview.
Two bald eagles perched along a nest
Wildlife Wonders
Eagles Across America
Half a century ago, the bald eagle was in danger of extinction. Conservationists helped lead a remarkable recovery, and in 2007 the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. This article touches on why the bald eagle inspires the awe and respect that it does.
Two large brown antlered deer charge one another and butt heads
Wildlife Wonders
Fall Wonders
There's lots for visitors to see in fall at national wildlife refuges.
orange and blue sky over water
Land Management
Great American Outdoors Act Makes Public Lands More Accessible
The nation’s public lands are for everyone, and we at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, which is helping make greater access possible.
A vertical portion of a rainbow over amber waves of steppe grass
Recreation
Rainbows Over Refuges
Few of nature’s wonders are more eye-catching and breathtaking than rainbows. This story touches on the science and lore of rainbows
A couple dozen pronghorns running over dry sagebrush land as the setting sun casts an orange glow over the whole scene
Recreation
Why I Took These Shots #2
This is one in a series of articles in which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members reflect on favorite photos they have taken at national wildlife refuges. It features project leader TOM KOERNER and Wyoming's Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge.
View All News

Visit Us

Seedskadee 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 or a field trip with their school. 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 southwestern Wyoming's sagebrush sagebrush
The western United States’ sagebrush country encompasses over 175 million acres of public and private lands. The sagebrush landscape provides many benefits to our rural economies and communities, and it serves as crucial habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including the iconic greater sage-grouse and over 350 other species.

Learn more about sagebrush steppe.

Location and Contact Information

      Fontenelle Dam Releases and Green River Flows

      Check the US Bureau of Reclamation's website for the latest information on inflows and releases from Fontenelle Dam.

      The US Geological Survey maintains a gauge station just below Fontenelle Dam and upstream of the refuge.  Water temperature, as well as, current flows can be viewed.

      Our Species

      Trumpeter swan and young swimming in Pablo day use pond

      The trumpeter swan is a majestic bird, with snowy white feathers; jet-black bill, feet, and legs; and 8-foot wingspan. At close range, a thin orange-red line can be seen on the lower part of the bill. The trumpeter is often confused with the smaller, more northerly tundra swan, especially where...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      Two large, ornate birds with pointed fail features, large white breast on a dry grassland with mountains in the distance

      The Greater Sage-Grouse is a large grouse with a chunky, round body, small head, and long tail. Males change shape dramatically when they display, becoming almost spherical as they puff up their chest, droop their wings, and fan their tail into a starburst. Sage-Grouse are mottled gray-brown...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      Sage Thrashers, the smallest of the thrashers, have pale yellow eyes, gray back, streaked breast, wing bars and white tail corners.

      References cited in Species Profile Alcorn, J. R. 1988. The birds of Nevada. Fairview West Publ. Fallon, NV. Blood, D. A. 1995. Wildlife in...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      Bald eagle up close with wing raised

      A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      A fish in hand with dark circular spots along it's side

      The Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki utah) is a subspecies of Cutthroat trout that once inhabited the Late Pleistocene-aged Lake Bonneville of Utah, eastern Nevada, and Southern Idaho (USA). Since the desiccation of Lake Bonneville into Great Salt Lake which is too salty for any...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Subspecies