Laws and Regulations

Designated trails, roads, and parking areas are open to visitor access from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, and are open most federal holidays (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).

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

Please Enjoy these Wildlife Related Recreational Activities:

  • Wildlife observation.
  • Wildlife photography.
  • Hiking / snowshoeing / cross country skiing on designated trails.
  • Bicycling and horseback riding on designated multi-use trails.

Prohibited activities include, but not limited to:

  • Hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding off designated trails.
  • Motorized vehicles off designated roads.
  • Pets and other domestic animals (dogs, cats, horses, etc.).
  • Abandonment of wild or domestic animals.
  • Launching, landing, and operating aircraft (model aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/ drones).
  • Possessing and discharging fireworks.
  • 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, cultural, etc.).
  • Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Possession or consumption of marijuana and any controlled substance and associated paraphernalia.
  • Commercial photography and motion pictures.
  • Camping, tents, and building of structures.
  • Abandonment of property (littering and dumping).
  • Use of boats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, paddleboards, and other floatation devices.
  • Walking or skating on ice.
  • Overnight parking.
  • Swimming 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.