rules for visiting
The trails at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge are currently open to visitors every day of the week from dawn to dusk. Rules, maps, and other visitor information can be found below.
Walking one of the many trails at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge.
Please help us maintain the ecological health of the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge and ensure that others enjoy their visit by following these rules:
The Refuge is open to the public from dawn to dusk.
To avoid disturbing plants and wildlife, please stay on the trails during your visit.
Dogs must be leashed and are allowed only on trails. If dogs get off-trail they might run into Canada wild rye, which can be fatal to them. Please clean up and carry out any dog waste from the trails.
No motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed anywhere beyond the parking lots. Please do not drive on the trails or the levee.
No bicycles are allowed on any Refuge trail except the Marquis Oak Ridge Trail.
No horseback riding is allowed anywhere at the Refuge.
No drones are allowed anywhere at the Refuge.
No hunting or trapping of wildlife is allowed in any season.
No collecting of plants, shrubs, trees, or fungi is allowed, including seeds, flowers, or any other part alive or dead.
Picnicking is allowed only at picnic tables (next to most Refuge parking lots), and all trash must be carried out. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed anywhere at the Refuge.
No camping or campfires are allowed anywhere at the Refuge.
The Refuge or a portion of it may be temporarily closed to visitors on short notice when legally protected birds or other wildlife are present, or when there is severe weather.
maps and other visitor information
Driving directions to the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge can be found here.
For information on parking and access to trails and other amenities, please see the Dixon Refuge site map here.
Information on summer paddling and fishing can be found here.
Download the Refuge bird checklist here. The file prints best on 8.5x14 paper.
For bird and plant photo guides for several areas of the Refuge, scroll down the BioBlitz page here.
Birdwatching at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge. Photo by David Miller.