San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 2,620-acre national wildlife refuge in San Diego County, California, established in 1996, 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 San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge map
San Diego Bay 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
- Yes. San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
- No. There is no entrance fee at San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
- Yes. Hunting is allowed on San Diego Bay 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 San Diego Bay 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 San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Hours, fees, and visitor center
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
There is no entrance fee at San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, boating, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.
Sources: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay, checked 2026-09-28.
Wildlife
- BirdMigratory birds
- InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species
Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay, checked 2026-09-28.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed on San Diego Bay 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 San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is allowed on San Diego Bay 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/san-diego-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Trails
- Bayside Birding and Walking TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Access TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Education TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Egger/Ghio Connector TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Gunpowder Point Interpretive TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Habitat Heroes TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Native Pollinator Garden TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Places on the refuge
- PlaceSweetwater Marsh UnitShuttle access from Sweetwater Park to refuge lands and Living Coast Discovery Center
- PlaceSouth San Diego Bay UnitSurrounded by the Bayshore Bikeway for walking and biking access
Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- State parkSilver Strand State Beach, a state park, is 1.3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- National wildlife refugeTijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is 1.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkBorder Field State Park is 2.2 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)