Facility Activities

Restrooms are located on the refuge at Stillwater Point Reservoir, the pavilion on the auto tour route, the Tule Trail trailhead, East Division Road camping area, and Center Road camping area.

If you have 15-minutes:

  • Walk interpretive trail to Stillwater Point Reservoir observation platform.

If you have one hour:

  • Walk interpretive trail to Stillwater Point Reservoir observation platform.
  • Drive Auto Tour Route.  Stop at pavilion, walk out into the marsh on the board walk and check out the Paiute Path across the road.

If you have half a day or more:

  • Walk interpretive trail to Stillwater Point Reservoir observation platform.
  • Drive Auto Tour Route.  Stop at pavilion, walk out into the marsh on the board walk and check out the Paiute Path across the road.
  • Drive north on Hunter Road and explore the undeveloped marsh.

The refuge is remote, undeveloped, and cell phone service is unreliable. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water, snacks, insect repellant, sunscreen and other necessities.  

Hunting

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge was established to restore and conserve wetlands at the terminus of the Carson River and today offers some of the best waterfowl hunting in Nevada. To maintain the wetlands, water is diverted from the Carson River and directed through a complex system of...

Wildlife watching
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.
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.
Hiking
The Refuge System offers hundreds of miles of refreshing trails and boardwalks. Whether you want a short, easy walk or a challenging hike, you’re likely to find what you want. Some trails are paved and universally accessible. Some trails include displays on visual arts, local history and culture or environmental education.
Boating - non-motorized
Many Fish and Wildlife Service sites make great destinations for flatwater canoeing or kayaking. Some sites have concessions that rent canoes or kayaks. Some sites offer scheduled paddle tours. See individual refuge websites for details.
Auto tour
Auto tour routes offer a great all-season way to see wildlife and habitats from the comfort of your car. By using your car as a viewing blind, you can often see more wildlife than you can see on foot.
Birding
From bald eagles to spoonbills, from condors to puffins, birds abound on national wildlife refuges. Refuges provide places for birds to nest, rest, feed and breed making them world-renown for their birding opportunities.
Biking
Biking is a good way to see wildlife, learn about habitats and photograph nature. Yield to pedestrians; many refuge routes are multi-use trails. Biking may be permitted at sites where it is consistent with a refuge’s statutory purpose. E-bikes are permitted on any refuge roads and trails where traditional bicycle use is allowed, if it is consistent with a refuge’s statutory purpose and the refuge manager determines it to be a compatible use.
Camping
A relatively small number of Fish and Wildlife Service sites allow backpack camping or RV camping. For a list of federal lands that allow camping, check recreation.gov.
Dog walking
Many sites do not allow dogs because they can disturb wildlife. Refuges that do allow dogs generally require that they be leashed. Some sites allow hunters and sledders to bring dogs.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding is permitted on designated trails of a limited number of refuges. Riders must follow refuge rules and regulations for this activity. See individual refuge websites for details.
Painting and drawing
Painting and sketching in nature is possible at nearly all sites open to the public. Sometimes, sites host public displays of artworks created on the refuge.
Picnicking
A few sites allow picnicking at designated areas.
Running
Many multi-purpose trails are open to runners and joggers as well as walkers and, in some cases, bicyclists. Some sites host annual fun runs. Check individual refuge websites for details.