Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Pat Schroeder Visitor Center Elmendorf Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area located in Commerce City, Colorado, covering more than 15,000 acres.

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Summary

There are many good reasons to visit the refuge, including observing wildlife, birdwatching, hiking, and viewing the scenic landscape. Visitors to the refuge can view a diverse array of animals, including bison, deer, coyotes, and eagles, among others.

Some specific points of interest to see at the refuge include the Visitor Center, which offers educational exhibits and interactive displays, and the Wildlife Drive, a self-guided, 11-mile auto tour that takes visitors through a variety of habitats. The refuge also has several hiking trails, picnic areas, and fishing opportunities.

Interesting facts about the area include that it used to be a chemical weapons manufacturing site during World War II, and efforts have been made to clean up the area and restore it to a natural habitat. In addition, the refuge is home to several endangered species, including the black-footed ferret.

The best time to visit Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and wildlife activity is at its peak. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers different experiences in 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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