San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex

07/30/2026

Join us for fall migration bird walk programs!!

07/08/2026

🏠 Government Surplus Auction – Open to the Public!
Looking for a project or extra housing? A 1999 Mobile Home Bunkhouse located at Baca National Wildlife Refuge near Crestone, Colorado is now available through a GSA online public auction.

📅 Bidding: July 8–15, 2026
💲 Starting bid: $100
🔍 Public inspection is available by appointment.

Visit gsaauctions.gov and search Auction #3-1-QSC-I-26-444-001 for photos, details, and bidding information.

Please review the auction description carefully, as the property is being sold as-is. Good luck to all bidders!

07/04/2026

America 250 🎉🥳🎊

07/01/2026

Saguach County is in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

07/01/2026

Rio Grande County is in Stage 2 Fire Restictions.

07/01/2026

Alamosa County is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Effective immediately, Alamosa County will now be in a Stage One fire ban until further notice.

Alamosa County Ordinance No. 18, Stage 1 restrictions: (Prohibits the following activities):

(a) Open burning, excepting fires and campfires within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds, charcoal grills and wood burning stoves at private residences in areas cleared of all flammable materials, and those other exceptions/exemptions as noted in Section 10.

(b) The sale or use of fireworks (as defined in Section 6) pursuant to C.R.S. § 30- 15-401(1)(n.7);

(c) Outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials

06/18/2026

REMINDER: Lead-Free Ammo Workshop, Saturday June 27th @ 9:00 am. - 3:00 pm. Please ASVP by June 18th by going to https://tinyurl.com/SLVammoworkshop or by scanning the QR code below.

06/16/2026

🌿 Explore the Baca Nature & Heritage Trail This July 4th Weekend! 🇺🇸

Looking for a family-friendly outdoor adventure in the San Luis Valley? Download our new Baca Nature & Heritage Trail Map and Trail Narrative Guide and bring them with you on your walk!

The Baca Nature & Heritage Trail is a self-guided experience that helps visitors of all ages discover the wildlife, history, water, plants, and people that have shaped this remarkable landscape. Along the trail, families and kids can learn about:

🏔️ Mountain vistas and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
🌳 Cottonwood forests and habitat restoration
🐾 Prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers, birds, and other wildlife
🤠 The ranching heritage of the historic Baca Ranch
🌼 Native plants of the San Luis Valley
📖 Human history and community connections across time

We encourage visitors to download the trail map and narrative guide images before arriving and use them as a companion while walking the trail. The guides are designed to help families, children, and curious explorers learn more about the refuge at each stop along the way.

🚩 Look for the temporary pink flags placed along the trail route. These flags correspond to the numbered stops in the trail narrative guide and will help you follow the trail and locate each learning station. Refuge staff plan to have the flags in place for the July 4th weekend.

📍 When the Baca Visitor Center is open, visitors are welcome to begin their trail experience there. The Visitor Center is generally open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

📍 When the Visitor Center is closed, visitors may still access the trail from the Crestone Kiosk trailhead and enjoy a self-guided exploration of the refuge.

Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable walking shoes, and your sense of curiosity!

Happy Independence Day, and we hope to see you on the trail! 🇺🇸🌿

06/13/2026

06/12/2026

FREEDOM 250 CELEBRATION

Baca National Wildlife Refuge

Join us as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at Baca National Wildlife Refuge. This family-friendly event features guided walks, wildlife programs, history presentations, educational activities, and opportunities to explore the refuge’s natural and cultural heritage.

All ages are welcome. Programs are free and open to the public.

⸻

8:00 AM

Visitor Center Opens

8:10 AM

Welcome Remarks

8:20 AM

Great Sand Dunes Act Overview

8:30 AM

Program Overview

9:00 AM

Prairie Dog Ecology

9:45 AM

Guided Tours - Concurrent Programs

Refuge Trail Bird Walk
Heritage Refuge Trail Walk
Historic Headquarters Tour

11:00 AM

Concurrent Programs

Study of Crestone Creek
Bison Management

11:45 AM

Concurrent Programs

Careers in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Refuge Management Updates

12:15 PM

Lunch Break (on your own)

1:00 PM

Water Management

2:00 PM

Guided Tours - Concurrent Programs

Refuge Trail Bird Walk
Heritage Refuge Trail Walk
Historic Headquarters Tour

3:00 PM

History & Heritage Panel Discussion

4:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Informal Networking

4:30 PM

Event Concludes

⸻

Baca National Wildlife Refuge
Freedom 250 Celebration
Saturday, June 13

Free and Open to the Public