National wildlife refuge

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is a 12,445-acre national wildlife refuge in San Diego County, California, established in 1996, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is closed to all public use: no one may land on or enter it.

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

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge map

San Diego 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

No. San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is closed to all public use: no one may land on or enter it.
No. Hunting is not allowed on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge closed to general public entry.
No. Fishing is not allowed on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

There is no entrance fee at San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: birding, environmental education, photography, wildlife viewing.

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

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birds
  • InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species

Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego, checked 2026-09-28.

Hunting

Hunting is not allowed on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge closed to general public entry.

Hunting rules for San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is not allowed on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.

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

Camping

Camping is not allowed on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-diego, checked 2026-09-28.

Pets

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

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

Trails

  • Lot O Trail
  • McGinty Mountain Trail
  • Mother Miguel Mountain Trail
  • Par Four Trail
  • Sweetwater River Trail

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

Places on the refuge

  • PlaceSweetwater Interpretive Loop parking12155 Campo Road, El Cajon; sunrise to sunset access

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

Public lands next to San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

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