Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is located in an isolated mountain valley in extremenorthwestern Colorado. It lies along both sides of the Green River, entirely within MoffatCounty, 25 miles below Flaming Gorge Dam. It contains 13,455 acres of river bottomland andadjacent benchland. The Utah-Colorado state line delineates the western boundary and to thesouth it shares a mutual boundary with Dinosaur National Monument. The remainder of therefuge shares a mutual boundary with the Bureau of Land Management lands. The refuge is 53miles northwest of Maybell, Colorado on State Highway 318, 50 miles northeast of Vernal, Utahover Diamond Mountain, and 95 miles south of Rock Springs, Wyoming via State Highway 430or 70 miles via State Highway 191 and Clay Basin, Utah.

The primary purpose of Browns Park Refuge is to provide high quality nesting and migrationhabitat for the Great Basin Canada Goose, ducks and other migratory birds. Before FlamingGorge Dam was constructed in 1962, the Green River flooded annually, creating excellentwaterfowl nesting, feeding and resting marshes in the backwater sloughs and old streammeanders. The dam stopped the flooding, eliminating much of this waterfowl habitat. Pumpingfrom the Green River, along with water diverted from Beaver and Vermillion Creeks, nowmaintains nine marsh units comprising approximately 1,430 acres. The river covers approximately1,000 acres along with sedimentary river bottomlands. Well vegetated grasslands interspersedwith cottonwood, willows, salt cedar, greasewood and sage cover approximately 5,000 acres. The remainder of the refuge (6,000 acres) is alluvial benchlands and steep rocky mountain slopes. Elevations vary from 5,355 to 6,200 feet above sea level.

On August 20, 1963, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved acquisition ofBrowns Park National Wildlife Refuge to develop and manage waterfowl habitat in that portion ofBrowns Park within the state of Colorado. The private land was purchased with funds from theMigratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. On July 13, 1965, the first tract of private land was acquired. At this time, 5,356 acres have been purchased at a cost of $622,976, 6,794 acres have beenwithdrawn from public domain lands, and 1,305 acres are leased from the state of Colorado (stateschool sections). There is one private inholding on the refuge, a 200 acre tract of grassland andcottonwood groves located at the southeast end of the refuge.

A Wildlife Oasis

Mallards, redheads, teal, canvasbacks, other ducks, and Canada geese nest on the Refuge. About 300 goslings and 2,500 ducklings hatch annually. The waterfowl population swells by thousandsduring the spring and fall migrations.

Approximately 200 species of birds can be found on the Refuge. Several areas provide excellentopportunities for bird watching in habitats ranging from semi-arid sage brush to lush wetlands and cottonwood stands adjacent to the Green River. Bald eagles frequent the Refuge during thewinter. Golden eagles and peregrine falcons are seen soaring over the Refuge during spring andsummer.

The Refuge is also home to deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and an occasional bighorn sheepespecially during moderate or severe winters. Moose are found in the wet, riparian areas duringthe spring, summer and fall. Deer and elk are commonly seen anywhere on the Refuge duringmoderate to severe winters. River otter use the Green River and Refuge wetlands year round.

From Outlaws to Wildlife A Long and Varied History

At the time of Euro-American contact, Comanche, Shoshoni, and Ute tribal groups occupied theBrowns Park area. Blackfeet, Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Navaho tribes also visited or usedthe area. Expeditions, such as the Dominguez and Escalante expedition in 1776 and the Lewisand Clark expedition in 1805, documented use and occupation by various tribes in the BrownsPark area.

In 1837, Fort Davy Crockett was built on present Refuge property to protect settlers and trappers against Blackfoot Indians and to serve as a trading post. The Fort was abandoned in the 1840's astrapping declined and white residents left.

As gold was discovered in California and the westward expansion continued, the reputation of Browns Park as a favorite wintering area for cattle began to grow. By the 1860's, Browns Parkwas used as wintering range by cattlemen and as a safe haven for outlaws and rustlers who preyedon nearby cattle herds. By 1873, settlement of the Browns Park area began.

The Browns Park ethic allowed for most "outlaw deeds" except murder. Browns Park, alongwith Hole-in-the-Wall, Wyoming and "Robbers Roost", Utah, became a major hideout for horsethieves and cattle rustlers along the Outlaw Trail. In fact, Butch Cassidy was often seen in theBrowns Park area. Law officers were often frustrated as their quarry could easily cross state linesfrom Browns Park and be out of their jurisdiction.

Today, evidence of the early settlers and Native Americans can be found throughout the Refuge. Three historical sites (the Two Bar Ranch headquarters, Fort Davy Crockett, and Lodore Hall,which still serves as a community center) and several old abandoned cabins and homesteads attestto the rich history of the area.

Enjoying Browns Park

Hikers, sightseers, horseback riders, wildlife watchers, and photographers are welcome yearround. A graveled, 11 mile auto tour route complete with interpretive exhibits providesopportunities to view and study wildlife and wildlife habitat. Notice that Refuge marshes areclosed to visitor between March 1 and July 31 to reduce disturbance to nesting waterfowl. Visitors are asked to remain on the road during this period.

Primitive camping facilities can be found at Swinging Bridge and Crook Campgrounds. Primitivetoilets are provided. There is no drinking water, firewood or trash removal.

Beware, this is remote country with great distances between services and conveniences. Maybell,Colorado and Dutch John, Utah are the closest communities and provide only minimal services. Both are 50 miles away. Motel accommodations can be made in Craig, Colorado; Vernal, Utah;and Rock Springs, Wyoming. The Browns Park store, located with 10 miles of the Refuge, haslimited groceries, gasoline, and RV services.

Fishing, floating or canoeing the Green River are popular activities. Year-round fishing for troutand catfish is allowed on the Refuge subject to Colorado state fishing regulations. Floating,canoeing, and boating is also allowed along the Browns Park National Refuge stretch of theGreen River. It's always wise to check water conditions before launching due to frequent lowwater conditions. There are two boat ramps, one at each campground, suitable for handlingcanoes and rafts. Vehicle shuttle services or canoe/boat rentals can be arranged through theBrowns Park store.

Accessibility

The Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center are wheelchair accessible and have wheelchairaccessible restrooms. Both Crook and Swinging Bridge Campgrounds have rest rooms that arewheelchair accessible. There are cooking grills that are wheelchair accessible at the CrookCampground but not at Swinging Bridge Campground. A fishing pier for the physicallychallenged is located between Spitzie and Hog Lake. A waterfowl hunting blind for physicallychallenged hunters is available upon request.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to afford persons with disabilities full accessibility orreasonable accommodation. Contact Refuge Headquarters for information or to addressaccessibility problems. For the hearing impaired, use your State Relay System for the Deaf.

1318 Highway 318
Maybell, Colorado 81640
(970) 365-3613