Laws and Regulations

Designated trails and parking areas are open to public access. The west side of the Refuge is open year-round from sunrise to sunset (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). The east side is open seasonally from May through September, Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. 

To protect wildlife and habitat, visitor access is limited to designated trails only. All other Refuge lands are closed to visitor entry.

Please Enjoy these Wildlife Related Recreational Activities:

  • Wildlife observation.
  • Wildlife photography.
  • Hiking.

Prohibited activities and uses include, but are not limited to:

  • Hiking off designated roads and trails.
  • Fishing.
  • Bicycling.
  • Motorized vehicles off designated roads.
  • Pets and other domestic animals (dogs, cats, horses, etc.).
  • Parking in undesignated areas and overnight parking.
  • Abandonment of wild or domestic animals.
  • Launching, landing, and operating aircraft (model aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles / drones).
  • Possessing and discharging fireworks.
  • Hunting.
  • Discharging of firearms or other weapons.
  • Disturbing, injuring, and damaging wildlife and plants.
  • Searching for and removal of any object (plants, wildlife, natural objects, mineral, antiquities, etc.).
  • Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Possession or consumption of marijuana and any illegally controlled substance and associated paraphernalia.
  • Commercial photography and motion pictures.
  • Camping, tents, and building of structures.
  • Abandonment of personal property and littering / dumping.
  • Use of boats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, paddleboards, and other floatation devices on Refuge waters.
  • Walking or skating on ice.
  • Swimming, wading, and bathing in all Refuge waters.
  • Campfires and grills.



For more information, call Refuge Headquarters at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge at 303-289-0232. 

To Report Violations on Federal Refuge Lands: dial 1-844-397-8477 or email FWS_TIPS@fws.gov. 

To Report Emergency / Medical / Fire: dial 911. For non-emergency calls: dial 303-277-0211