About Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
With acquisition of the first property in 1994, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was officially established as the 505th unit in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Located 10 miles from downtown Sacramento, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is an urban refuge sandwiched between the city of Elk Grove and agricultural lands. Conserving and enhancing Central Valley habitat and wildlife, the refuge hosts a variety of Central Valley habitats including grassland savannah, riparian forest, wetlands, and native freshwater lakes. Year-round and seasonal wildlife dependent recreational activities include a waterfowl hunting program, the wildlife observation and education site Blue Heron Trails, docent guided walks, and a wildlife viewing paddle program. In addition to these activities, the refuge also hosts school field trips and habitat restoration projects.
How to Get There
The Refuge office and Blue Heron Trails is located south of Sacramento, just outside of Elk Grove. From Sacramento, travel south on Interstate 5 and take the Hood Franklin Road exit. At the stop sign, turn right, heading west for about one mile. The entrance sign and turn lane will be on your left. Please note, Blue Heron Trails is open every day but hours are seasonal. Please check the current hours before your visit. NO dogs/pets.Parking lot is for visitors only. NO overnight parking or leaving vehicles in lot all day unattended. Vehicles left overnight or all day unattended may or will be towed at owner’s expense.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/2164) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
The Refuge office and Blue Heron Trails is located south of Sacramento, just outside of Elk Grove. From Sacramento, travel south on Interstate 5 and take the Hood Franklin Road exit. At the stop sign, turn right, heading west for about one mile. The entrance sign and turn lane will be on your left. Please note, Blue Heron Trails is open every day but hours are seasonal. Please check the current ho…
How do I contact Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 916-775-4421 or email: stonelakes@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
