National wildlife refuge

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Uintah County, Utah, established in 1960, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. Hours: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset; 1.5 hours before sunrise during refuge authorized hunting seasons, every day of the year.

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

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: PD-USGov-Interior-FWS. Original uploader was Mattisse at en.wikipedia, Public domain

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge map

Ouray 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

No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.

Utah Fire Info, Utah DNR's interagency fire information hub, keeps the Utah fire restrictions map and signed orders for every fire zone, and a Utah fire map of active fires.

Common questions

Yes. Hours at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset; 1.5 hours before sunrise during refuge authorized hunting seasons, every day of the year.
No. There is no entrance fee at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Fishing is allowed on Ouray National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Most Utah and refuge fish species are non-native; pier on Sheppard Bottom auto tour road.
Yes. The refuge has an auto tour route, Auto tour road.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset; 1.5 hours before sunrise during refuge authorized hunting seasons, every day of the year.

There is no entrance fee at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Ouray National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center19001 East Wildlife Refuge Road, Randlett, UT 84063-9713435-545-2522

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

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/ouray/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29; recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1548, checked 2026-09-28; fws.gov/refuge/ouray, checked 2026-09-29.

Auto tour route

  • Auto tour roadCrosses refuge habitats with interpretive signs; fishing pier on Sheppard Bottom auto tour road

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

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birdsWhen: springSpring chorus of migrating birds along the Green River riparian woodlands
  • BirdWaterfowlDucks, geese, cranes, herons and shorebirds along the auto tour road
  • MammalPronghorn

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Ouray National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Most Utah and refuge fish species are non-native; pier on Sheppard Bottom auto tour road.

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

Trails

  • Sheppard Bottom Trail(1.3 mi loop, easy)Primitive walking trail from the auto tour road; begins at the observation tower

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

Places on the refuge

  • Viewing areaOuray National Wildlife Refuge Visitor CenterExhibits on the Green River, local plants and wildlife
  • OverlookObservation towerTrail loop in Sheppard Bottom begins at the observation tower
  • Viewing areaSheppard Bottom fishing pierAccessible fishing pier on the auto tour road

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

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Vernal, 14 miles

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