National wildlife refuge

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000-acre national wildlife refuge in Santa Cruz County, California, established in 1972, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is closed to all public use: no one may land on or enter it.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: FWS, Public domain

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge map

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

View larger map Open in Google Maps Directions

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

No. Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is closed to all public use: no one may land on or enter it.
No. Hunting is not allowed on Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge. General public hunting not available where refuge access is closed or permit-only.
No. Fishing is not allowed on Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

There is no entrance fee at Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge.

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

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ellicott-slough/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birds
  • InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ellicott-slough, checked 2026-09-28.

Hunting

Hunting is not allowed on Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge. General public hunting not available where refuge access is closed or permit-only.

Hunting rules for Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ellicott-slough/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is not allowed on Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ellicott-slough/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ellicott-slough/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Places on the refuge

  • PlaceRefuge closed to public entryClosed due to sensitivity of wildlife and habitat

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ellicott-slough/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge

  • State parkManresa State Beach, a state park, is 0.3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
  • State parkSunset State Beach, a state park, is 1.4 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
  • State parkSeacliff State Beach, a state park, is 2.5 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.