Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge

Description:

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1963 to provide habitat for migratory birds and to provide for suitable wildlife-dependent recreation. The Green River, the life blood of the Refuge, runs through the heart of its 13,455 acres. Plants such as the threatened Ute's ladies tresses orchid and hundreds of species of animals depend on the habitat that the Refuge provides. Migrating waterfowl stop to refuel at Browns Park NWR, wintering elk and mule deer rely on the open grasslands, and the Refuge's cottonwood forests provide critical migration habitat for hundreds of thousands of Neotropical migratory songbirds. The shrublands also provide critical habitat for several species of concern including the loggerhead shrike, sage grouse, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and Brewer's sparrow. Last, the Green River provides habitat for wintering bald eagles, nesting osprey, river otters, beaver, and the endangered Colorado pikeminnow.

Directions:

Browns Park NWR is extremely remote, 92 miles away from the nearest town with services. Be sure to bring extra water, food, and clothes. Cell phone coverage is not reliable away from town. Check your spare tire for proper air pressure. From Craig, Colorado, travel west on Highway 40 to the town of Maybell. About * mile to the west of Maybell, turn west onto Highway 318. The Refuge visitor contact station and office are about 63 miles from Maybell. From Rock Springs, Wyoming, travel south on Highway 430. It is about 56 miles on pavement to the Colorado state line, where the road turns to an improved, all-weather dirt road (County Road 10). Travel about 22 miles on County Road 10 until you reach pavement (Highway 318). Turn west on Highway 318 and travel about 20 miles to the Refuge's visitor contact station and office.