Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
4.5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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See what travellers are saying
- Clint SEllijay, Georgia403 contributionsA must see for nature loversHow can you not enjoy this place if you are a nature lover??? Seeing the prairie dogs for the first time was fun. I'm from Georgia so they are a lot like squirrels but without the bushy tail and not as ADHD. They are more curious. So a good bit of dear and a coyote. Was about to be disappointed because I wasn't seeing the buffalo but got to towards the end of the wildlife road. Amazing that this place exists where it does.Visited June 2024Travelled soloWritten 24 June 2024
- Sara M21 contributionsBISON just outside DenverThis little drive-thru park was very well mapped out & just outside the city. We saw, bison, mule deer, coyote, prairie dog; all in the mid morning time. Good flow of traffic & not too busy.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 July 2024
- S RTubac, Arizona27 contributionsGreat or Okay Depending on the TimeWe went through the wildlife reserve (went through 3 different times) and found the adventure to be wonderful. The first time we saw deer up close but the bison were far distant. The other two times we drove through the bison were within a very short distance to the road. I loved the experience. I’d happily return when I’m in the area.Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 30 July 2024
- LostInTimePittsburgh, Pennsylvania24,766 contributionsGiant deerI went here after landing at the airport with my kids. It’s so cool to have something like this right in the city. We saw a ton of prairie dogs. Some massive hawks. Bison. And the biggest deer I’ve ever seen.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 2 August 2024
- Fivekids557 contributionsFree fun!It’s free! Highly recommend doing the driving tour. The bison are near the end of the tour but well worth it! The visitor center is not open Monday and Tuesday but you can still drive or walk the tour.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 August 2024
- OldGrouch2 contributionsThe highlight of our trip, and it was free!We have been to Colorado many times but this was first visit here. We fit this in as an activity on our way back to DIA (it is about 30 minutes drive from DIA). This place is amazing! We took the driving tour, and as others said, the bison are mostly at Mile 8 and after. Before that we saw prairie dogs, deer, and lots of birds. But don't overlook the joy of just being in the place itself. Endless stretches of prairie grass, some trees and bodies of water. It was nice just to park and listen to the wind blowing across the fields and watch the afternoon clouds roll in. Bring binoculars if you can!Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 20 August 2024
- Traveling_FeetClearwater, Florida132 contributionsDelightful Day Trip Into The WildernessA delightful place not far from the city. If you are more the outdoorsy type but do not have a lot of opportunity for a full blown trip into the mountains this area is a good option. It's filled with both educational opportunities as well as wildlife and relaxation in nature. Great views of Denver as well as the surrounding mountain ranges. It's easily accessible from the city via rideshare option, however for the best experience a personal form of transportation is a wise decision. Definitely recommend if your time is limited.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 September 2024
- Lady's Adventure TimeDenver, Colorado14 contributionsFor Nature and Hiking lovers a like.Rocky Mountain Arsenal is a cool place to check out wildlife especially the wildlife, if you go on Spotify there is an "audiobook" that guides you through the park and gives you a little history of Rocky Mountain Arsenal. You get to see the buffalos, the bald eagles, and few other wildlife, if you are a hiker there is a few trails around the Refuge to go check out and see different points of views. If you're a nerd like be there is a state park book (kind of like the National state books) in the gift shop, and you can get it stamped from one of the rangers. I think the state park book is called the Blue Goose. It's good to use at majority state parks in the USA.Visited August 2024Travelled soloWritten 1 October 2024
- Cherry_WonderdogNew England4,992 contributionsWildlife lover’s delightThis was the perfect activity for us to do before my late morning flight out Denver International Airport. Only 35 minutes away, Rocky Mountain resembled a lower grade safari expedition that might have cost big bucks elsewhere. Here, we paid nothing, and even though we weren’t overwhelmed by animals crossing the road, etc., there was nevertheless enough for a thoroughly captivating morning. The entire drive was about nine miles, including several stop-offs along the route. The first was perhaps most scenic – by a reservoir, whose wetlands vegetation attracted birds, fowl, and all sorts of flying species. It was here that we saw ducks, swans, hawks, a majestic bald eagle, and even a lone pelican. Along the road, we stopped quickly to admire the adorable prairie dogs, and a bit later, a few bison near the fence. Cherry Wonderdog was pretty sure to have seen an antelope, too. Deer were in all directions and made for picturesque photos amidst the backdrop of shady oaks trees basked by the rising sun. Two fluffy paws up on the highly coveted Cherry Wonderdog rating scale.Visited October 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 November 2024
- Sherri GoolRound Rock, Texas1,034 contributionsFree funIt was free to drive thru and see the buffalo which was the highlight of our day. We saw a few deer and prairie dogs too. It was a very cold day so this was nice to get out and do something but stay nice and warm in our car. Don’t use the portable toilet!Visited November 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
406 reviews
Excellent
199
Very good
139
Average
49
Poor
10
Terrible
9
Randi L
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We go here in the winter and see a lot more wildlife than we did this time, we didn't see a single animal until the end, when we were absolutely flooded with buffalo rolling around, grazing and playing with each other. It was SO WORTH the wait. There are tons of baby's right now, it's so cute to see them running around head butting each other! The heat is keeping the animals well hidden until after sunset
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Previa1994
Chicago, IL6,623 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
What an amazing place! I spent one full afternoon exploring the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge at Denver airport in September. The refuge is a spectacular repurposing of what used to be a vast chemical weapons complex. But, watch out for the warning signs about stray arsenal! After a visit to the informative Visitor Center museum I drove on the one-way scenic road (about 11 miles) that traverses throughout the preserve. I listened to the audio tour as I drove along (QR Codes along the drive provide access to the narration by phone). Along the drive I saw prairie dogs, deer and bison. There are also some beautiful hiking trails (but no shade). The Rattlesnake Hill Trail provides a scenic overview of the refuge from a highpoint. Lake Mary loop trail was another short enjoyable trail. There is an outdoor exhibit with ferrets near the visitor center. Entry is free for this awesome place.
If you have about a half day, one can fully enjoy a visit to the wonderful Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge at Denver airport.
If you have about a half day, one can fully enjoy a visit to the wonderful Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge at Denver airport.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lewis J
England, UK94 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Me and my partner decided to visit the wildlife refuge one morning as we had a few spare hours. It is fairly easy to get to and once you’re inside the refuge, it is a nice pleasant drive. As with any type of wildlife, it is a game of luck. We were lucky enough to be able to stop and spot a lot of Prairie Dogs going about their daily life and also spotted some deer and bison. We didn’t get to see the bison as closely as we would have liked but was still pretty cool to see an animal that we’ve never seen before. We spent around 2 hours here in total. It doesn’t cost anything other than the amount of fuel you use and the drive around the refuge is around 11 miles.
Written 6 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew B
17 contributions
May 2020
I'm fortunate enough to live 20 minutes away from this magical refuge and visit often. If you enjoy wildlife photography, birding, and/or the quiet enjoyment of nature this is a must visit. There are a wide variety of birds that call the refuge home or that visit during migration. Mule deer are plentiful and the bison herd is often visible on the 10-mile wildlife drive. I highly recommend timing your visit close to sunset or sunrise, as there are far fewer people/cars and the wildlife is most active. If you drive the loop road, take your time and stop occasionally to listen to the birds singing and enjoy the quiet this refuge offers.
Written 29 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJK812
New York City, NY148 contributions
May 2022
I was expecting more. I saw this labeled as a hidden gem on a couple lists. We saw deer and bison, but the bison were gated off and could have just as easily been on a farm. I see deer in NY so that wasn't very exciting. The drive through road is very flat with not much to see. It was smaller than expected and disappointing. Had I known I'd have spent my time somewhere else. I gave them one more star than the experience deserved because at least they do some good work there.
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristina N
Minnesota56 contributions
Sept 2020
Really liked this place! We just followed the driving trail, didn't get out of the car until the end to stretch our legs and read the information board that leads down to one of the fishing lakes. Got some good pictures there! On the drive we saw a bunch of Bison, Prairie dogs and deer with nice views of the mountains! My 1 year old napped in the car while the teen and the 7 year old looked out the window, It was fun driving through looking at all the signs and trying to spot animals. The visitor center was closed (Due to COVID) would have liked to see that and maybe get out and do some hiking or fishing, which we saw a lot of people doing!
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laura_sunshine
Stone Mountain, GA140 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
While in Denver for work I decided to take the 11 mi drive and visit a lake. Beautiful and peaceful! I went in late afternoon and only saw prairie dogs because of the heat.
So on my way to the airport the next day I decided to go again- at 9am since animals tend to be out more when it’s cooler. Saw lots of buffalo and their spring babies! I stopped briefly into the Visitor Ctr. Small but informative.
Lots of trails and a great free spot! Will definitely visit again if I’m able to.
So on my way to the airport the next day I decided to go again- at 9am since animals tend to be out more when it’s cooler. Saw lots of buffalo and their spring babies! I stopped briefly into the Visitor Ctr. Small but informative.
Lots of trails and a great free spot! Will definitely visit again if I’m able to.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kris L
Seaford, NY41 contributions
Jul 2023
Great place to see the local wildlife all from your car. We arrived late in the day so the Visitor's Center was closed, but did the whole Wildlife Drive loop and had a great time and saw so much. Tons of birds (including Burrowing Owls!), prairie dogs everywhere, a herd of bison that crossed the road right in front of us, and lots of deer as well. A few warnings: stay in your car or you may be reprimanded by a park ranger, and if you open your windows near the bison you might get a few flies in your car which my kids gave zero stars to. Otherwise loved it!
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbaBL
Silver Spring, MD29 contributions
Sept 2022
Take an hour to drive the free wildlife tour at this refuge. Go slow and watch closely for the wildlife. We saw buffalo, prairie dogs and deer. Not too many birds. It was peaceful and enjoyable. The visitors center is closed certain days so look it up in advance but the maps are outside the Center so you can drive it any time from 9:00am to sunset. The drive is about one hour but we stopped at the lakes to walk.
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth Ann U
West Chester, OH151 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We arrived on a day that the visitors center was closed so we almost didn't drive in. Thankfully we did and were able to enjoy the wildlife drive on a day that was sunny and breezy. There are thousands of prairie dogs, many deer, bison and birds. The drive is very pleasant and the smell of the wildflowers was amazing. There were very few people in the refuge that day so we had no security concerns. They do have signs posted to lock up your valuables and not leave them in sight. Duh.
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
I had a 7 hour stopover in Denver and was wondering if i need to have a car to get around the park?
Is there a guided tour?
Written 21 August 2018
Yes. Once you enter the bison area, you are not allowed to step out of your car. It’s several miles around the park. The park itself is not accessed by public transport. You can bicycle or walk in but you cannot access the bison enclosed areas without a vehicle.
Written 29 June 2020
nxdangel
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The website says most wildlife come out at dusk or dawn. What time did you visit?
Written 3 November 2017
I live ten minutes from the park and visit all the time. I feel bison viewing is just by chance sometimes and weather-dependant, too. They do not enjoy the hot sun and will rest in the woods on those days. If you visit on a cooler day, you are more likely to see them up close. Early evening is a good time to go because it’s cooler.
Written 29 June 2020
Can you walk to this attraction from Tower Road hotels?
Written 6 August 2017
BTW - even if you could walk to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, the attraction is NOT a walking attraction. There are places where signs indicate to "stay in your car".
Written 6 August 2017
Hi David,
I do not know as I did not go fishing. I went to the website and although they have an entire page on fishing this was not mentioned. just as an fyi it is catch and release, you fo need permit and you can only fish on certain days. If you are still interested give them a call Wednesday through Sunday as this is when the visitor center is opened, leave a message if they dont answer they will call you back. As a quick reference their number is 303-289-0930. if you decide to go have fun, it is beautiful and if you are there early you will see the animals.
Ann
Written 29 July 2017
What is the best time of day to see the bison. I went late this afternoon and only saw one at a far distance.
Written 15 May 2017
We drove through the Refuge twice in an attempt to view bison. The first time was toward dusk when someone suggested we were more likely to see some....no bison but a great sunset. The second time was close to noon, and we spotted three as we were walking outside of the visitor's center. We ran to our car and drove to the "bison area" and were rewarded with a great view when one bison strolled across the path directly in front of our car.
The bison area is quite large, so I think your chance of seeing some is totally random. It depends on where they're grazing each day.
Written 29 July 2017
from the amount of dear around and bison I'd stay in my car. Unless you just want to scare them off. I think I saw signs asking you to not get out.
Written 17 November 2017
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