National wildlife refuge

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Ulster County, New York run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset.

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

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge map

Shawangunk Grasslands 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

This unit's own agency alerts list no fire restriction as of Oct. 5, 2026. We do not check a statewide fire-order feed for NY, so that is not a statement that no order exists, and not a green light for a fire. Check with the land manager and your county before you light anything.

Common questions

: Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset.
: No. There is no entrance fee at Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge.
: No. Dogs are not allowed on Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset.

There is no entrance fee at Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: wildlife viewing, birding, photography, hiking, hunting, fishing.

Wildlife

BirdMigratory birds

Pets

Dogs are not allowed on Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.

Getting there

Nearest town: Watchtower, 2.8 miles

Source: www2.census.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Public lands next to Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge

State parkMinnewaska State Park Preserve is 2.3 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.

fws.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
recreation.gov (accessed 2026-09-29)
www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)