National wildlife refuge

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000-acre national wildlife refuge in Monterey County, California, established in 1973, 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 Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Don DeBold, CC BY 2.0

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge map

Salinas River 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

Yes. Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Salinas River 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 Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
No. Dogs are not allowed on Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

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

There is no entrance fee at Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge.

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

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/salinas-river/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/salinas-river, checked 2026-09-28.

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birds
  • InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species

Source: fws.gov/refuge/salinas-river, checked 2026-09-28.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Salinas River 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 Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Salinas River 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/salinas-river/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Dogs are not allowed on Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/salinas-river, checked 2026-09-28.

Trails

  • River Loop Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Warriner Beach Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures

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

Places on the refuge

  • PlaceSalinas River mouth estuaryRiver loop and beach trails for estuary wildlife viewing

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

Public lands next to Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge

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