National wildlife refuge

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Merced National Wildlife Refuge is a 10,200-acre national wildlife refuge in Merced County, California, established in 1951, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

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

Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Lee Eastman of Pacific Southwest Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from Sacramento, US, CC BY 2.0

Merced National Wildlife Refuge map

Merced 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. Merced National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Merced National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Merced 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 Merced 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 Merced 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, Merced NWR Auto Tour Route (5 miles).

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Merced National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

There is no entrance fee at Merced National Wildlife Refuge.

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

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

Auto tour route

  • Merced NWR Auto Tour Route5 mi

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

Wildlife

  • BirdSandhill crane
  • BirdWaterfowl

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Merced 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 Merced National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Merced 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/merced/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

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

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

Trails

  • Bittern Marsh Trail(1.09 mi, easy)
  • Cottonwood Trail(0.46 mi loop, easy)
  • Kestrel Loop Trail(easy)Marsh trails include observation deck and photo blind routes
  • Meadowlark Trail(easy)Marsh trails include observation deck and photo blind routes
  • Photo Blind Trail(easy)Marsh trails include observation deck and photo blind routes
  • Pintail Marsh Observation Deck Trail(easy)Marsh trails include observation deck and photo blind routes

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

Places on the refuge

  • OverlookPintail Marsh observation deckAt the end of the Pintail Marsh Observation Deck Trail

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

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Merced

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