The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City has added 8 miles of new hiking trails and expanded visitor activities to include bicycling on select trails. The expanded trails include a five-mile connection to the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail. This metro-wide trail system will eventually connect Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Two Ponds, and Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuges to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Refuge trails south of 64th Avenue and at 96th Avenue and Chambers will be open to hiking, bicycling, and Class 1 e-Bikes. Parking lots at 56th Avenue and Uvalda Street, 56th Avenue and Chambers Road, and 96th Avenue and Chambers Road, provide additional visitor access.
Bicycle racks are located at the Visitor Center, South Lake Ladora, and Lake Mary Learning Center parking lots. Bicycles and Class 1, 2, and 3 e-Bikes will be allowed on Refuge roads, but not permitted in the bison enclosure areas.
Lake Mary, Lake Ladora, and Visitor Center trails are open to hiking only. Visitor activities are organized by trail color on the new Refuge trails map. Please note, only assistant pets are allowed on Refuge trails.
REFUGE TRAILS BROCHURE INFORMATION
Welcome to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). We invite you to connect with nature and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Refuge. This 15,000-acre expanse of short and mixed grass prairie is home to more than 330 species of wildlife, including bald eagles, bison, black-footed ferrets, deer, coyotes, burrowing owls, and prairie dogs. The site began as a U.S. Army base and is now managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect wildlife and habitat.
Trails
Enjoy 20 miles of trails open year-round. Follow all posted signs and park vehicles in designated areas only. Visitor activities are organized by trail color. See map for details.
Bicycles
• Bicycles and Class 1 e-Bikes are permitted on blue and green trails only.
• Bicycles and Class 1, 2, and 3 e-Bikes are permitted on designated Refuge roads and on the perimeter trail.
• Bicycles are not permitted in the bison enclosure areas.
See map for details.
Wildlife Drive
• The 11-mile self-guided auto wildlife drive takes approximately 1 hour to complete.
• The Wildlife Drive is open to motorized vehicles; speed limit is 30 mph.
• Follow the directional symbols.
• Stay on paved roads and observe all posted signs such as “Stay in Vehicle” or “Area Closed”.
• Stay in your vehicle while in the bison enclosure areas, which are marked by signs and cattle guards.
• Always stay at least 75 feet (23 meters) away from bison.
See map for details.
Refuge Regulations
The Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, unless otherwise noted. 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 visitors. It is your responsibility to know all Refuge rules and regulations for the protection of wildlife and visitors.
Accessible Opportunities
All trails are accessible, except for portions of the Prairie and Havana Ponds Trails. All restrooms and parking lots are accessible. Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. For more information please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, www.doi.gov/accessibility.
Learn more at: https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=6442466603