Facility Rules and Policies
Unlike national parks, state parks, and state forests, the management priority at national wildlife refuges is "Wildlife First." These lands are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is the only agency of the U.S. Government whose primary responsibility is fish, wildlife, and plant conservation. Public uses of national wildlife refuges must be compatible with plant and animal conservation. Our guiding legislation identifies priority public uses on national wildlife refuges that can be allowed if they are compatible with the management of that refuge for wildlife.
Please note that dogs are only allowed on the Liberty Loop Trail, utilizing the parking lots at Oil City Road or Owens Station Road. All dogs must be controlled on a leash at all times. Service dogs are allowed on all refuge trails and facilities.
- Service animals (those that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability; the task(s) performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability) are allowed in all areas of the refuge that are open to the public, including refuge parking lots, road, trails, and visitor centers.
- Pets (non-service animals) are not allowed on most refuge trails or in the visitor center. Dogs are only allowed to walk along Liberty Loop Trail, utilizing the parking lots at Oil City Road or Owens Station Road. All dogs must be controlled on a leash (not to exceed 10 feet) at all times.
- No overnight parking is allowed.
- Use of motorized vehicles, including ATV/UTVs is prohibited. Motorized vehicles disturb wildlife, cause erosion, disturb other refuge visitors, and shatter the tranquility of the refuge.
- All plants and animals, parts thereof, and other objects of nature are protected from disturbance. Collection is prohibited.
- Jogging, bicycling and horseback riding are not allowed on refuge trails. These activities may disturb visitors and wildlife and erode trails.
- It is against the law to damage archaeological sites or remove artifacts such as old bottles or arrowheads on the refuge. Please help protect sites by leaving artifacts in place and reporting locations to refuge staff.