National wildlife refuge

Kern National Wildlife Refuge

Kern National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Kern County, California run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. Hours: Sunrise to sunset; entrance gates close automatically 1/2 hour after sunset, every day of the year.

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

Kern National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Elaine with Grey Cats, CC BY-SA 2.0

Kern National Wildlife Refuge map

Kern 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 Kern National Wildlife Refuge: Sunrise to sunset; entrance gates close automatically 1/2 hour after sunset, every day of the year.
No. There is no entrance fee at Kern National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Kern 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 Kern 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 Kern National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Yes. The refuge has an auto tour route, Loop Road (graded gravel).

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Kern National Wildlife Refuge: Sunrise to sunset; entrance gates close automatically 1/2 hour after sunset, every day of the year.

There is no entrance fee at Kern National Wildlife Refuge.

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

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/kern, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/kern/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Auto tour route

  • Loop Roadgraded gravelPosted speed limit 25 mph; parking in designated areas only

Source: fws.gov/refuge/kern, checked 2026-09-29.

Wildlife

  • BirdWaterfowlWhen: winterPeak concentrations during Pacific Flyway migration
  • BirdShorebirdsWhen: spring and fallMudflats and shallow wetlands during migration

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Kern 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 Kern National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Kern 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/kern/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

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

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

Trails

  • Covey Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Marsh Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Photoblind Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Tulare Basin Explorer Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Unit 1A West Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Units 4/5 West Perimeter Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures

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

Places on the refuge

  • OverlookWildlife observation deckOn the auto tour route

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