National wildlife refuge

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000-acre national wildlife refuge in Alameda County, California, established in 1972, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is no entrance fee. Hours: Trails sunrise to sunset, every day of the year.

Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Sept. 30, 2026.

  • Closure: Trail Closures Construction to repair former salt pond levees at Pond A2W in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge will begin on August 31, 2026, and continue through November 2026. Trail closures will be necessary as construction activities occur. The Song Sparrow Spur Trail along the eastern and northern levee of the pond will be closed throughout the construction period. Read more and vie

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Kabelleger / David Gubler ( http://www.bahnbilder.ch ), CC BY-SA 3.0

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge map

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

Fire restrictions change with the season and can start or lift within days. Check the current orders for this area before any campfire, stove, smoking, target shooting or off-road driving.

Common questions

Yes. Hours at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Trails sunrise to sunset, every day of the year.
No. There is no entrance fee at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
Yes. Fishing is allowed on Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Trails sunrise to sunset, every day of the year.

There is no entrance fee at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR Environmental Education Center1751 Grand Boulevard, Alviso, CA 95002408-262-5513
  • Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR Visitor Center1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94555510-792-0222

What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birds

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.

Hunting rules for Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Alviso Slough Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Bair Island Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Butterfly Garden Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Coyote Creek Lagoon Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Crescent Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Faber-Laumeister Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Harrier Spur Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • LaRiviere Marsh Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Mallard Slough Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Marsh View Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • Moffett Bay Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps
  • New Chicago Marsh Trail(easy)Bay trails include Alviso Slough, Bair Island, and Fremont marsh routes; check tide and trailhead maps

Source: fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Places on the refuge

  • BoardwalkTidal boardwalkWooden boardwalk section on Tidelands Trail.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Fremont
  • 15 miles from San Jose

Source: fws.gov/refuge/don-edwards-san-francisco-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.