National wildlife refuge

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Sacramento 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 Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Justine Belson/USFWS, CC BY 2.0

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge map

Stone Lakes 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. Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Stone Lakes 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 Stone Lakes 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 Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

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

There is no entrance fee at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

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

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

Wildlife

  • BirdSandhill crane
  • BirdWaterfowl
  • BirdMigratory birds

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Stone Lakes 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 Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Stone Lakes 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/stone-lakes/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

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

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

Trails

  • Blue Heron Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures

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

Places on the refuge

  • PlaceBlue Heron Trails visitor areaSeasonal docent-guided tours; summer and winter posted hours at the visitor center

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

Public lands next to Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

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