National wildlife refuge

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Modoc County, California run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

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

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: USFWS, Public domain

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge map

Modoc 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. Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Modoc National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Modoc 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 Modoc 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 Modoc 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, Modoc auto tour loop.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

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

There is no entrance fee at Modoc National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Modoc NWR Visitor CenterMon-Fri: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

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

Auto tour route

  • Modoc auto tour loopDriving loop; walking and biking also allowed on the tour route

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

Wildlife

  • BirdSandhill crane
  • BirdMigratory birds

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Modoc 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 Modoc National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Modoc 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/modoc/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

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

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

Trails

  • Kaye Johnson Wildlife Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Multi-Use Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Ronnie Ryno Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures

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

Places on the refuge

  • Viewing areaWigeon Pond viewing blindSouth end of Wigeon Pond on Kaye Johnson Wildlife Trail

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

Public lands next to Modoc National Wildlife Refuge

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