Welcome to Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge! Located in the heart of Arvada, step into nature and see the native wildlife that call the Refuge home. Deer, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, turtles, and coyotes are just a few of the animals you will see on your visit. Take a nature escape and discover the variety of urban outdoor recreational experiences waiting for you.

Visit Us

Just 12 miles northwest of downtown Denver, this urban Refuge is home to more than 120 species of birds, coyotes, red fox, beaver, turtles, deer, and more!  Come hike the landscape, and listen to and observe the wonders of nature.  

Explore Two Ponds in a variety of ways!

  • Hiking
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Photograph wildlife and landscapes
  • Birding
  • Environmental education programs for kids
  • Nature programs
  • Service projects available throughout the year
  • Visiting the Refuge is FREE!
  • View the Two Ponds General Brochure - English Brochure, Spanish Brochure

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge provides a natural oasis with native wildlife and plants in an urban setting. It offers beautiful views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, with a network of trails meandering through prairie grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. This 72-acre Refuge is managed to restore and preserve native prairie ecosystems, protect habitat for migratory and resident wildlife, and provide wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities for all ages.

      What We Do

      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge
      is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.   

      At Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge we are working continuously to ensure that our natural resources are conserved for current and future generations to enjoy.

      By taking a short walk on the trails you may encounter sparrows, hawks, woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, magpies, warblers, waterfowl, and herons.  As the seasons change so does the landscape and its animal inhabitants. The Refuge has more than 120 bird species, 22 species which nest here.

      Each year the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge provides valuable habitat and resting points along flyways for native and non-native birds. The various ecosystems present throughout the Refuge support a great diversity of bird species which in turn helps to ensure their conservation.

      Coyote, red fox, muskrat, raccoons, beaver, deer, and several species of small mammals are observed at the Refuge.

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      A bison grazing in the foreground with mountains and a city and electrical infrastructure in the background
      The Urban Wildlife Conservation Program improves lives by expanding access to green space, education and outdoor recreation for Americans living in and around cities. Program members work to clear social and historical barriers and foster new connections that advance conservation and strengthen...

      Our Species

      • Red-winged Blackbird
      • Red-tailed Hawk
      • Bald Eagle
      • Mule Deer
      • Coyote