Facility Rules and Policies
All public use recreational activities on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge are regulated to protect wildlife, this differs from regulations on other public lands. While managed to protect wildlife and maintain the rugged, remote, and undeveloped character of the Refuge, a wide variety of opportunities are available for visitors to experience and explore. As a visitor, it is your responsibility to understand and follow the rules and regulations to protect wildlife and to ensure your own safety. Be safe. Be prepared. Be responsible!
All public use recreational activities on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge are regulated to protect wildlife, this differs from regulations on other public lands. While managed to protect wildlife and maintain the rugged, remote, and undeveloped character of the Refuge, a wide variety of opportunities are available for visitors to experience and explore. As a visitor, it is your responsibility to understand and follow the rules and regulations to protect wildlife and to ensure your own safety. Be safe. Be prepared. Be responsible!
Pets must be leashed or confined, except dogs used for bird hunting. Hunting dogs must be kept under the immediate control of their handlers at all times.
Camping is permitted year-round for up to 14 days only in designated campgrounds, please check website for seasonal closures. Camping is not allowed on roads or pull-off areas.
If you would rather enjoy more remote areas of the Refuge, camping is also permitted with a backcountry permit. Backcountry camping requires campers to be at least 1/2 mile from any road, 1/2 mile from their vehicle, and 50 feet from a water source. No fires area allowed when backcountry camping.
Camping is free and is on a first come, first serve basis.
Campfires are permitted only in designated fire rings where provided. The use of campfires may be further restricted during periods of increased fire danger – check for campfire restrictions posted at the Refuge Headquarters or at the campground. Bring your own firewood because collecting firewood within the Refuge is prohibited.
Boats may be used on Big Spring Reservoir, Catnip Reservoir and Dufurrena Ponds. Only electric motors are allowed
Fishing is allowed only in Dufurrena Ponds, Catnip Reservoir, Big Spring Reservoir, and McGee Pond. Cutthroat may be caught during a limited season at Catnip Reservoir. The Dufurrena Ponds have bass, crappie, and several other species of warm water fish. Big Spring Reservoir is often dry, but stocked with trout when conditions allow. Check current Nevada state regulations for seasons, limits and other requirements.
Hunting for some big game, waterfowl, and upland bird species is permitted in accordance with state and federal regulations. All hunting is strictly prohibited in Virgin Valley and the western portion of the Refuge as posted. Waterfowl hunting is also prohibited at Catnip and Big Spring reservoirs. We allow the use of portable temporary ground blinds constructed of synthetic material. Blinds must not be constructed earlier than one week prior to the opening day of the hunting season for which you have a permit, must be tagged with your name and permit number, and must be removed within 24 hours of harvesting an animal or at the end of the hunting season. Consult all current federal and state regulations prior to hunting on the Refuge. All other wildlife is protected.
Firearms and their possession within the Refuge is allowed in accordance with Nevada state law. The discharge of any firearm and the possession or use of weapons other than firearms, except as allowed for purposes of legal hunting, is prohibited.
Searching for, collecting, removing, disturbing, digging, or cutting resources such as artifacts, arrowheads, petroglyphs, trees and other plants is strictly prohibited. Observe and enjoy refuge resources in place.
Rock hounding and rock collecting are allowed by hand from the surface only. You may remove up to seven pounds of rock per day for personal use. Disturbing the ground or using tools or equipment as well as the collecting of arrowheads, stone tools, or any other type of artifact is strictly prohibited.
Vehicles (both motorized and non-motorized) are allowed ONLY on Open Routes. Roads are open as indicated by road signs, Refuge maps, or other information subject to weather and road conditions and for resource/ habitat protection.
Speed on the Refuge is 25 m.p.h. unless otherwise posted — for the safety of you and the wildlife
Camping with stock is allowed at designated campgrounds or by backcountry permit, but stock facilities are provided only at Badger and Fish Spring campgrounds. To avoid introducing weeds, only pelletized feed or certified weed free hay is allowed.
Wildlife Observation & Photography are the most popular recreation activities on the Refuge. To avoid disturbing Greater sage-grouse during their mating season, you must have a Refuge Special Use Permit and follow special rules when viewing or photographing sage-grouse from March 1 until June 1.
On National Wildlife Refuges wildlife comes first. Refuges are not managed for multiple uses like other public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on National Wildlife Refuges only with a special use permit and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities are compatible with the refuge’s Congressionally mandated wildlife conservation goals.
At Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, a special use permit is required for most commercial activities as well as some non-commercial activities such as research, inventory and monitoring, and photographing sage-grouse from March 1- June 1. Other activities may also require a permit. Contact the Refuge or visit Special Use Permits to learn more.