About Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
Welcome to Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge The 12,150-acre Refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Refuge is one of over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System – a network of lands set aside specifically for wildlife. The Refuge System is a living heritage, conserving wildlife and habitat for people today and for generations.
How to Get There
There are several routes available to reach the Refuge Headquarters, depending on your direction of travel and local weather conditions.Craig, CO: Drive 31 miles west on Hwy 40 and turn right on Hwy 318 after passing through Maybell, CO. Follow Hwy 318 for 60 miles to the Refuge Headquarters.Vernal, UT: There are two possible routes depending on the season and weather conditions.The most reliable route is 81 miles total and involves following Hwy 191 around the Flaming Gorge. From Vernal, drive 52 miles north on Hwy 191 and turn right on the Browns Park Road just inside Wyoming. Follow this road for approximately 28 miles until you see the Refuge Headquarters 1 mile east of the Colorado-Utah border. This route includes 3 miles of gravel road.During good summer weather an alternative route is to drive 50 miles over Diamond Mountain (this requires a 4x4 high-clearance vehicle). Turn east on 500 N St. and follow it approximately 26 miles, during which the name changes to the Jones Hole Road. After 26 miles, turn left on Browns Park Road 1250 and follow it approximately 17 miles to the Swinging Bridge. Drive over the bridge and follow CO-83 north to Hwy 318. Turn left on Hwy 318 to reach the Refuge Headquarters just down the hill. Much of this route is gravel and dirt roads. Please note that the Swinging Bridge is 8' wide and not all trailers will fit between the bollards. Rock Springs, WY: There are two possible routes depending on the season and weather conditions.The most reli
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Browns Park 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 Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1320) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge?
There are several routes available to reach the Refuge Headquarters, depending on your direction of travel and local weather conditions.Craig, CO: Drive 31 miles west on Hwy 40 and turn right on Hwy 318 after passing through Maybell, CO. Follow Hwy 318 for 60 miles to the Refuge Headquarters.Vernal, UT: There are two possible routes depending on the season and weather conditions.The most reliable …
How do I contact Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 970-365-3613 or email: brownspark@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources