Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Arapaho NWR was est. in 1967 to provide nesting and rearing habitat for migratory birds.

The blue flag iris are blooming at Arapaho NWR. Blue flag iris are common throughout the western US . They are found i...
06/13/2026

The blue flag iris are blooming at Arapaho NWR. Blue flag iris are common throughout the western US . They are found in marshy or wetland areas that are between 5,200 to 11,00 feet in elevation. They bloom from late spring until mid-summer.
photo credit Tammy Hoem

This is a happy moose! All winter long moose at Arapaho NWR subsist on woody stems and bark. Now that spring is here ...
06/10/2026

This is a happy moose! All winter long moose at Arapaho NWR subsist on woody stems and bark. Now that spring is here they can enjoy a diet of fresh leaves, buds, green plants, grasses and even a little aquatic vegetation. A moose will eat 40 to 60 pounds a day packing on 200 -250 pounds of fat during the summer to see them through the coming winter. Bon Appetit!
photo credit Mark Ackerman

Jackrabbits are a common sight at Arapaho NWR, but it's not easy to get a picture of one! Jackrabbits can hop at speeds...
06/08/2026

Jackrabbits are a common sight at Arapaho NWR, but it's not easy to get a picture of one! Jackrabbits can hop at speeds up to 40 mph, leap for lengths of 20 feet and bound up to 6 feet in the air. Their speed and excellent hearing allows them to escape their predators.
photo credit Tammy Hoem

Small but fierce, this pair of American Kestrels were spotted at Arapaho NWR. Measuring only 9 inches Kestrels are the...
06/04/2026

Small but fierce, this pair of American Kestrels were spotted at Arapaho NWR. Measuring only 9 inches Kestrels are the smallest member of the falcon family. They may be small but they are fierce hunters catching insects, small mammals, reptiles and even birds. They hunt by perching on poles or hoovering in the wind watching for prey.

Kestrel build their nests in cavities or nest boxes. There are several nest boxes on the refuge so Kestrels are often seen here.
photo credit: Mark Ackerman

06/03/2026

Sound up! It's not just the sights at Arapaho NWR that are interesting, it's the sounds also. So take some time to relax and listen to the sounds of the refuge.
photo credit Mark Ackerman

CLOSED to FISHING Arapaho NWR will be closed to fishing from June 1st until July 31st. This closure is to reduce human i...
06/01/2026

CLOSED to FISHING
Arapaho NWR will be closed to fishing from June 1st until July 31st. This closure is to reduce human impact on nesting water fowl. The refuge was established primarily to provide a suitable nesting, rearing and stopover habitat for migratory birds. The refuge is one of the most productive waterfowl areas in Colorado. About 8,000 ducklings are hatched here each year.
photo credit Liz Julian

These prairie dog pups at Arapaho NWR are venturing outside their burrow to enjoy the spring sunshine. Female prairie d...
05/28/2026

These prairie dog pups at Arapaho NWR are venturing outside their burrow to enjoy the spring sunshine. Female prairie dogs give birth to one litter of 2 to 8 pups each year in the early spring. The pups are born with their eyes closed and are hairless. They stay in the burrow and are nursed by mama for about six weeks. When they venture out of the burrow they begin to eat vegetation. They are completely weaned at 7 to 8 weeks of age. Even though they are no longer dependent on mama for nourishment they stay in a family group for about a year.
photo credit Mark Ackerman

Spring at Arapaho NWR brings new life! Pronghorns give birth in late may to mid-June. Does usually have two babies, ca...
05/26/2026

Spring at Arapaho NWR brings new life! Pronghorns give birth in late may to mid-June. Does usually have two babies, called fawns. At birth the fawns weigh 4 to 9 lbs. They are odorless at birth and rely on staying camouflaged for safety the first few days, while mama grazes nearby. They can walk within an hour of birth and by the time they are a week old they can run at 30mph. They rely solely on their mother's milk until they begin to eat vegetation at about three weeks of age.
photo credit Evelyn Ince

This Memorial Day weekend Arapaho NWR will be open from from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The Sc...
05/23/2026

This Memorial Day weekend Arapaho NWR will be open from from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The Scenic Backcountry road, that was closed this last week, is now open. The Visitor's Center will be closed. We hope you will take a moment while enjoying the peace at the refuge to remember those who served our nation and are no longer with us.
photo credit Mark Ackerman

We welcome the snow and rain at Arapaho NWR, but we have had to close the Scenic Back road due to muddy conditions. phot...
05/22/2026

We welcome the snow and rain at Arapaho NWR, but we have had to close the Scenic Back road due to muddy conditions.
photo credit Mark Ackerman

Address

953 County Road 32
Walden, CO
80480

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 3:30pm
Thursday 7am - 3:30pm
Friday 7am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+19707238202

Website

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