Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

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Parks

Colorado

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is located in Colorado and covers over 23,464 acres.

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Summary

The refuge offers a variety of recreational activities including fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking. The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife including elk, moose, and bald eagles.

One of the main attractions of the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is the auto tour route, a 19-mile scenic route that allows visitors to view the wildlife and picturesque scenery. The refuge also features several hiking trails such as the McCallum Trailhead and the Hot Creek Trailhead.

Interesting facts about the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge include that it was established in 1967 and is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge is also home to several historic buildings such as the Hunt-Fish Cabin and the North Park Pioneer Museum.

The best time to visit the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is during the summer months when the weather is mild and wildlife is abundant. However, the refuge is open year-round with different activities available during each season.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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