Facility Activities

The Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge offers the "big six" of wildlife dependent recreation: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, interpretation, environmental education, and photography. 

Hunting

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1999, is in the Hudson Valley in Ulster County, New York. Archery deer hunting is permitted on 154 acres during seasons administered by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. All hunters must obtain a refuge hunting...

Wildlife watching

The refuge offers outstanding opportunities to observe (by eye and ear) a great variety of grassland birds. Upland Sandpipers, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows may be found during the breeding season. Short-eared Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Horned Larks and...

Photography
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.
Fishing

There is a small pond located along the entranceway to the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. A fishing license from the state of New York is required. All fishing is catch-and-release, no live bait is allowed, and only the use of barbless hooks is allowed.