Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge is a 20,000-acre national wildlife refuge in Ventura County, California, established in 1974, 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 Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge map
Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
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. Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge is closed to all public use: no one may land on or enter it.
- No. Hunting is not allowed on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge closed to general public entry.
- No. Fishing is not allowed on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.
- Yes. Dogs are allowed on Hopper Mountain 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 Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge.
What visitors do here: birding, environmental education, photography, wildlife viewing.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Wildlife
- InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species
Source: fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain, checked 2026-09-28.
Hunting
Hunting is not allowed on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge closed to general public entry.
Hunting rules for Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
Source: fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain, checked 2026-09-28.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is not allowed on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Camping
Camping is allowed on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain, checked 2026-09-28.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Places on the refuge
- PlaceCalifornia Condor Recovery Program areaRefuge not open for general public entry; visit via staff or partner guided tours and volunteer workdays
- OverlookDough Flat observation point (Los Padres NF)Forest Service overlook about five miles from the refuge in condor country
Source: fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
- National forestHopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge borders Los Padres National Forest.
- Wilderness areaHopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge borders Sespe Wilderness.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/3931 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)