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Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge
Mule deer in Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge – Commerce City

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Rocky Mountain Arsenal is a nearly 17,000-acre wildlife refuge housed on a former United States Army chemical weapons manufacturing facility. The Commerce City refuge is home to more than 330 native species, including prairie dogs, bison, and white pelican.

National Wildlife Refuge in Adams Co.

The army built the arsenal in 1942 at the height of World War II to build chemical weapons. It closed years later in 1985 and in 1987 underwent intense cleanup. Congress made it a national wildlife refuge in 1992, in part because of its bald eagle inhabitants. It has continued to grow into a popular tourist attraction.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Bison Herd Commerce City CO
Bison herd at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Michael Levine-Clark

Facilities

  • Visitor Center
  • Contact Station/Environmental Education Facility
  • Two floating boardwalks on two of the Refuge’s lakes
  • Fishing and observation piers at Lake Mary
  • Seven parking areas
  • One photo blind
  • Restrooms at three locations
  • Three outdoor amphitheaters

Activities

Sunrise Derby Lake in Rocky Mountain Arsenal Commerce City CO
Sunrise over Derby Lake, Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Photo: Michael Levine-Clark

Biking: Only permitted from the refuge entrance to the visitor center.

Birding: Over 280 species have been recorded at the park, which offers free, guided birding programs with a naturalist. Get a bird checklist at the visitor center.

Events: Each calendar month brings new organized activities, in addition to annual favorites including Fishing Frenzy, Refuge Day, and International Migratory Bird Day.

Fishing: Two lakes are open to fishing from mid-April through mid-October on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Catch and release only using barbless hooks and artificial bait. There is a $3 fee in addition to a CO fishing license for those older than 15.

Hiking: Over ten miles of year-round dirt and gravel trails, open for hiking and snowshoeing. Choose from wetlands, woodlands, and grassland habitats. Bicycles, pets, and jogging are not permitted. There are two national recreation trails in the park.

  • Interior Trail System – National recreation trail covering four miles of this urban refuge.
  • Wetlands Loop Trail – Another national recreation trail, spans two miles through prairie wetlands.

Scenic Drives: Nine-mile route takes up to an hour.

Tours: Two-hour bus-driven wildlife tours are offered year-round.

Visitor Center: Open only on specific days. Has gift shop, interactive exhibit hall, and discovery room with hands-on activities. You can check out a free pair of binoculars with a photo ID or a free activity backpack with games and discovery tools.

South entrance of Rocky Mountain Arsenal (1960).
Aerial of Rocky Mountain Arsenal South Plant (1970).

Details

Address: 6550 Gateway Rd, Commerce City, CO

Phone: 303-289-0930

Season: Year-round | Sunrise – sunset | Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Pets: Only assistance dogs allowed

Fees: None

Maps: Trail & Auto Roads (PDF)

Website: fws.gov/…

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