Did you know there’s a thriving wildlife refuge just outside Denver, Colorado? That’s right, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge offers a surprising escape from the city bustle, all for free!
This 15,000-acre refuge boasts stunning views and a diverse range of wildlife. Once a chemical weapons production facility, it has undergone an incredible transformation into an animal haven.
Planning Your Visit
- Getting There: The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is just 10 miles northeast of downtown Denver.
- Entrance Fees: There are no entrance fees for visiting the refuge!
- Visitor Center: The visitor center offers exhibits on the refuge’s history, wildlife, and conservation efforts. Before your visit, check the website for current operating hours.
- Things to Bring: Binoculars, a camera, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and plenty of water are recommended.
I always suggest stopping by the Visitor Center before exploring any park. During my visit to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, I spent about an hour walking around the displays and reading about the history of this site. Even though I have visited Denver many times, I was surprised that I didn’t know about this wildlife refuge earlier.
After learning about this once-inhabitable land, the person at the information booth suggested I start my exploration by walking the Discovery Trail, which starts from the visitor center. The refuge has 20 miles of easy hiking trails. I hiked about a mile before turning back. The cold wind rolling off the flat prairie got to me faster than expected. On my way back, I did get my first glance at the buffalo that call the arsenal home. While they would have freely roamed this land 200 years ago, today, they seemed out of place with the backdrop of townhomes in the distance.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge – Black-Footed Ferret Exhibit
As I approached the Visitor Center, I made a quick stop at the Black-Footed Ferret exhibit. The black-footed ferret once believed to be extinct, is now one of the most endangered animals in North America. Currently, only 300 black-footed ferrets remain in the wild. However, with ongoing conservation efforts, their population is gradually increasing.
Not only was it warm in the enclosure, but I arrived at the perfect time to watch the staff clean their enclosure and creatively place their food for them to search for. In the wild, the Black-Footed Ferret’s diet consists of prairie dogs. In this exhibit, the staff places dead mice in cardboard containers for the ferrets to search for and eat in the clear plexiglass burrows below. I’m not sure if the cardboard boxes were supposed to provide some type of challenge or puzzle for the ferrets to work through to get to their food, but they attacked the boxes at lightning speed to retrieve their treat.
What to Expect at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
- Wildlife Viewing: Keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, deer, raptors, songbirds, prairie dogs, and coyotes. The refuge is a great place to practice your wildlife photography skills or simply enjoy observing these creatures in their natural habitat.
- Scenic Drives: Take a leisurely drive on the 11-mile Wildlife Drive and soak in the beauty of the landscape. The refuge also offers scenic overlooks for those panoramic Rocky Mountain vistas.
- Outdoor Activities: Hike or bike on the trails, go bird watching, or have a picnic in one of the designated areas. The refuge provides a variety of ways to connect with nature.
As I got in my car to start the 11-mile scenic drive, I remembered the employee at the information booth recommended playing the audio tour as I drove the loop. The calming voice of the narrator made me feel like I was in a National Geographic documentary. I almost immediately saw two mule deer as I reached mile one. These huge deer were unphased by my presence. I felt as if I was interrupting them forging through the prairie.
At mile two, I entered the buffalo pasture. This is also where the road turns into one-way traffic. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge asks visitors not to get out of their vehicles. We’ve all seen those videos of people in the National Parks getting too close to buffalo. Don’t be one of those people; stay in your car. I did stop to take pictures as the Rocky Mountains began to border the horizon in the distance. The mountains sparkled dark blue against the golden prairie grass. The buffalo wasn’t in this part of the refuge at the time, but I was told I could drive the loop as many times as I’d like, and each time would be different for spotting wildlife.
The audio tour of the refuge provided me with insights into areas that I wouldn’t have looked at twice. The tour was a perfect balance of Native American history, the more recent history of producing chemical weapons, and the subsequent clean-up caused by decades of pollutants. If you are not able to drive the 11-mile loop, I strongly recommend listening to the audio tour. I enjoyed the part at the 20:40 mark, where they shared some interesting facts about coyotes. These highly adaptable animals survived being shot, trapped and hunted as large groups of people started to migrate westward. Although most people see coyotes as pests, they are cunning creatures that can survive in any environment. Coyotes are one of the 19 animals that use fission-fusion to adapt as conditions change, meaning they can survive in a pack, solo, or pairs.
I could really go down a rabbit hole of fun facts about the coyote. But I will leave you with one book recommendation: read Coyote America, which covers the coyote’s lineage and adaptability. You will have a newfound respect for these creatures that typically move in the shadows but are always around.
Mile Marker 9 is the bison corral. This is where I saw the majority of the bison in the refuge. Here, the vet or a biologist can see the bison and determine if some need to be transferred to other wildlife refuges to keep the herd healthy and biologically diverse.
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a testament to the power of ecological restoration. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of nature and learn about the importance of conservation. So, next time you’re in the Denver area, consider swapping the city lights for a wildlife adventure at this urban oasis.
To fully explore all the activities available in Denver and the surrounding area, I highly recommend taking a look at the posts listed below. They offer valuable information and insights that can help you make the most of your time in the area. Don’t miss out on any of the amazing experiences the Western United States has to offer.
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