This place is an absolute wonder! Its a great short (hour) or long (2-3 hour) stop near the airport. You can drive through 11 miles of the park to view wildlife such as bison, deer, prairie dogs, and all kinds of birds. If you drive make sure to listen to the Audio Guide in your car. It is so informative and wonderful. There are also loads of walking trails. I cannot recommend this place enough.

Great hiking area with mountain views. Excellent ponds for fishing enthusiasts. Deer graze nearby. Fresh air! Recommend

A little visited gem in metro Denver. Except for the planes flying overhead its peaceful and quiet here because its not close to highways or major roads. But its easy to get to. Just 30 minutes from my home in Golden. There are no bicycles or dogs allowed which makes it a great place for hiking. People also enjoy fishing here. Bring binoculars for spotting the abundant wildlife--deer, bison, prairie dogs and water birds like cormorants and snowy egrets.

What a beautiful preserve! We walked three miles and loved seeing five large deer. Its an escape from the city. If you love the outdoors and quiet, this is the place for you.

Amazing place. Wild life. Near the mountains. Wow must do

I really enjoyed driving through the refuge and viewing all the wildlife up close! I also turned on the audio tour from the website, which gave the tour more substance and was educational. I saw deer and bison close up and was able to take great pictures. And the tour was FREE! Wonderful experience.

Rocky mountain arsenal never disappoints and each trip you will see something spectacular and exciting be it a herd of bison crossing around the car, a beautiful sunset, a coyote running past or photo opportunities of prairie dog babies and majestic deer! Just go and enjoy! And bring a camera! The best part its free! Thr park closes at sunset but you can stay afterwards as long as you are in the park, a motion censored gate lets you out!

The refuge is great! Very large area for animals to roam freely. My wife got a kick out of the massive Prairie Dog town. Saw elk, bison and mule deer. Best part, it is no charge to enter and mostly open to the public.

What a great get away, so close to the city. Beautiful front range views, peaceful access to nature. This area is free to visit, there is always plenty of parking, and its on flat land so its a great place to bring out of town guests, or family members who have lower fitness levels.Be aware, not much shade so can be tough in midday heat. Also saw a few snakes, but they mind their own business!

Great scenic animal drive here. Highly recommend and convenient to the city and airport for an easy visit.

I love everything about this place from housing black footed ferrets to bison. They have a lovely free scenic drive, go the speed limit no faster! There is a big dip in the road that people go at too fast and can cause an accident literally in the middle of a Arsenal. But you can fish here as well as take amazing photos, the staff is well informed and has an interesting history on the land. Bison are such beautiful animals that I wish will end up everywhere in the future. There are multiple public bathrooms at the entrance and exit as well as the welcome center you can go into. Except during Covid they are all closed except port a potties that are locates in the parking lot.

Best way to view bison is drive around the loop and play t the audio tour from website. It was very fun. We also hiked a lot, and saw many deer and different types of grass and birds and stuff on trail.

Seeing the bison up close was really cool. The paths around the ponds were beautiful with lots of open space to enjoy the fresh air. Could see some prairie dogs and beautiful birds. Great hidden treasure in the middle of the city.

Went for a walk through here, very peaceful, very quiet, very pretty. Saw a few animals in the distance and enjoyed the lake.

Great place to drive through. Just passing through town and wanted to see some wildlife. Many great photo opportunities, lots of photographers here as well. Low speed limit throughout park, fun and easy way to take a quick trip.

It was great, a lot of wildlife. Definitely go into the Buffalo areas at your own risk haha.

We saw deer and a lot of birds. A great sanctuary with dozens of trails through beautiful prairie lands.

Birds and wide tranquil open spaces to walk.. Lake with a small beach..bison drive.. Wild animals so close...One couldnt ask for more...arsenal has got it all.. Best things in life is always free.. countless visits later still want to go every chance I get..

This place was pretty cool to come in around sunset time. Beautiful views.

Great place to spend a few hours before you hit the airport. Peaceful park with a few picture worthy spots. The drive itself is a soothing way to spend sometime instead of waiting in an airport.

This was a great stop before we headed to the airport in Denver. Just 30 minutes to the airport. It was nice to be able to walk around before we got on our flight. There are a lot of trail options if you only have some time or if you have a lot. There is also a driving tour though the reserve.

Loved the drive and wildlife along the route. I was great social distancing g drive and hike. Loved the Lake Marys Floating Boardwalk!! I will need to come back and spend more time when it is less cold. Wanting g to do the Army History hikenext! I do recommend for family and nature enthusiast alike or even just gor a little peace and quiet watching the bison herd!!

Great free wildlife refuge just outside Denver and right near airport. Amazing chance to see buffalo up close (but safely from your car) as well as mule deer, prairie dogs, nesting Falcons and hawks in winter, and large water birds. Some areas (outside of bison areas) have short flat hikes available. Visitor center has a good display on the history of the site, particularly during the period it was an active arsenal, the clean up and then restoration to a wildlife refuge. Definitely worth a stop in as a local or visiting the area.

This area is along the East side of the Arsenal just outside the fence between Pena Blvd and the Arsenal itself. It is a great path for walking, running, biking, exercising the fur babies. Wide..plenty of space for everyone. Asphalt for a portion then crusher fines (fine gravel path) to the north. Can split path at 1st creek to a concrete path leading under Pena Blvd towards Green Valley Ranch. Usually deer and Prarie dogs hanging out but sometimes the Buffalo come graze on this side of the Arsenal (they are contained).

Ill tell you what, this place is a hidden gem. So many little areas to explore and follow whether its the trails or paved road through. Youll find little critters all over and youll see so many beautiful deer and bison. Besides that is the gorgeous views of land, meadows and trees. Sharing some of the beauty in some photos I took

What a pleasant surprise, especially on a warm Autumn afternoon. Pretty much had the trails to ourselves (and a bunch of deer), though it got busier near dusk when people came to see the bison.

I really enjoyed the refuge. The view of the mountain ranges was beautiful. We got to see the buffalo herd and dozens of deer. Its a lovely and serene drive.

Nice beautiful drive through the park. Cant say about the hiking trails, but going through the drive during sunset is pretty breathtaking with the mountain background and not power lines and homes in view. Great place to view wildlife as well!

Great story of how our nations public employees turned something toxic into a preserve for species inside a major city. I saw lots of thriving wildlife, ground owls, bison, white tailed deer, and prairie dogs amongst other things! It’s worth 2 hours of your time. Bring lunch and have a picnic.

Wonderful place to see Bison. Free. Colorful past (intriguing history)

I love driving through & sometimes stopping & taking my time to see all the beautiful animals,birds & all the wildlife.

Nice drive through wilderness area. Saw many deer but not much else. There is a large herd of bison but they were all well off the road and hard to stop. Disclaimer: it was 100 degrees today so that may have kept some wildlife laying low.

It was a great drive, we didn’t see many animals but I guess that’s due to the time we went.

A free nature park with some trails and ponds. Driving loop that is about 10 miles, most of which is one way. You are required to stay in your car for a portion of the drive. Depending on wildlife & time of day you can see a number of native wildlife. We saw deer, ducks, prairie dogs, and a bison (at a distance).

If you have never been here it is pretty exciting to see Buffalo and deers up close now dont be crazy and try to get out your car just appreciate that you can see him that close I know a lot of people want to get out and try to pet Them but dont they are still wild and Lord knows what they would do if one did get close to you Sometimes you just got to realise that no matter how much you want to get close to nature nature will let you know how close it wants to get to you There is plenty of things to look at and also be respectful of their space And environment

Amazing nature drive. There is a visitor center in the entrance, very clean restrooms and friendly staff. The drive is about 45 min nice and slow but give it double that time with stopping for wildlife viewing. Great before sunset though you pretty much always will see some bison, deer, hawks and prairie dogs. Wonderful for kids and adults. Also has some hikes and great city and mountain views. Best of all its free, highly recommended! Tip- Make sure to bring a pair of binoculars, makes a big difference.

Beautiful quiet place surrounded by ongoing development. The wildlife refuge is fantastic for early morning visits to see wildlife and such. Ive seen deer, bison and bald eagles, as well as tons of other birds I cant identify. Its not busy and plenty of room to spread out.

Well theres not much to see there i was expecting to see more animals but still it was a fun time and i even got the chance to captured our friend in a funny moment!

Perfect place to drive through with the family. There’s a lot of wildlife to see. Easy drive and feels far away from the city even though you’re still there. The whole drive through takes 45 minutes or so. Be sure to check out the Bison (but don’t play with them.)

Absolutely beautiful views and awesome experiences seeing the wildlife here I definitely recommend this place to visit regardless of the time of year. We visited in the winter and there were still plenty of animals out and about!! Take your time through the drive (the road is wide enough on the one way trail for other cars to go around you) so you dont miss anything. Also definitely stop by the visitors center! The staff there gave us a run down on where we might see what animals and the most recent location where the Buffalo were seen.

Great place to spend some time in Denver. Minutes away from Commerce City. Beautiful locations. Fyi this is not a place to cycle or mtb. Mostly driving and stopping for quick hikes near the entrance.

Always love going to this park. Lots of trails and the wildlife drive around the park allows you to see deer, eagles, bison. Definitly worth a trip.

What an interesting place to visit. The museum has great info about the Arsenals original purposes and functionality. Getting to drive around the perimeter was such a treat. We were there in winter and saw herds of buffalo in the distance, deer that would graze near the roadside, prairie dogs and some other animals. Im sure there is way more when its warmer. Definitely a must-see in Denver.

I am sad to say that my visit here was short, and I only made it into the back offices very briefly yesterday, but they took good care of me. My friends were about to drop me at the airport and thought a drive through the arsenal would be a nice activity to do before I left, but a few minutes before we arrived I had a fit of acute and extreme pain. My friends pulled into the visitors center hoping I could get more comfortable if I stood or got to a bathroom. Unfortunately, after I got out of the car I did not make it to a bathroom and threw up outside (which was cleaned promptly). The rangers approached me and were concerned for heat stroke. They ushered me back out of the sun and eventually into the back of the building as my fit continued. Levi, and the other rangers (their names escape me) were very accommodating and attentive. They attempted to give me a chair (I preferred the floor at that point) and did everything they could to accommodate me until an ambulance arrived - which was really quick after I requested one!To the staff and Levi at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, THANK YOU for all you did to help me. You should be happy to know that I only have a kidney stone (as bad as that is) and I will survive! I hope I have the opportunity to say thanks in person, but if not, again many many thanks for accommodating myself and my friends in my time of need. Ill be back to see yall in the future hopefully. Best wishes!

Beautiful, serene, peaceful. Coming from the Midwest, I miss lakes and rivers. Ive come here a couple times to enjoy the mini lakes and the wildlife around them. Even in the middle of the summer its still cool. Also, with no admission, its been a wonderful free activity to enjoy. Ive also bought out-of-state visitors here too.

What a great resource and reprieve to have 15 min from downtown.Pack the family up in the car and take a nice slow drive through the wildlife area! If you can handle dealing with some slow drivers you’ll be sure to get a great view of some deer and some bison! Pretty dang close to the car even!Just remember to go potty beforehand and stay in your car, so that you don’t have to tangle with the wildlife!Great way to spend an hour or two appreciating the nature around us!

Love the Arsenal. Interesting cultural history (was where chemical weapons were made for decades) but now a wildlife refuge. See the herd of wild bison and tons of deer and prairie dogs and lots of other animals.

Such a cool drive. Just when we were starting to get disappointed and think we missed all the wildlife, we came across several of them. I wish the visitor center would have been open, but due to COVID its not currently. We will definitely be back if we are in Denver again.

Decent alternative to going to the mountains. Nice drive. Sometimes wildlife.

I love this place. Its so big and has so many trails.

This is very fun it is a nice place to go take a walk or drive around and see some animals. It is also a good spot to go and just walk around with no big building in sight!

We were looking for something casual to do outdoors around Denver and found this. It was really beautiful scenery with the mountains in the distance and shockingly had many bison. Really beautiful and well worth it

Went here to scout out the fishing situation since the information at the website wasnt very informative. Within the pic collage that accompanies this review is the Fishing Permit & Regulations. Bottom line is that theres a daily $3 fee to fish or you can pay $50 for a season pass. The day fee can be deposited into any one of several fee collection boxes (pic in center of collage is an example) whereas the season pass can only be purchased at the Visitor Center Wed to Sun from 9 am to 4 pm. Lake Ladora definitely looks like the preferred spot to fish whether youre bank or wade fishing. Zoom in on the form mentioned above to read more about the regulations. Theres also a pic of the type of fish you can expect to find in the lakes. Happy Fishing!!

This was an unexpected surprise during our trip to Colorado. The sites history is fascinating, and the return to its natural state is a gift. A brief walk on a hot day (like the first day we visited) gives a whole new appreciation for what it took for early settlers to cross the Plains. The staff at the Visitors Center was very helpful and informative. It was well worth our time to drive the wildlife route through the park. We saw the best wildlife activity when we returned during the early evening. The bison came within a few feet of our car, close enough to hear them chewing and the sound of their hoofs as they walked. When three of the larger bison started walking directly toward our car after wed been watching them for about 10 minutes, we got the distinct feeling they were telling us it was time to move on. So we did. But its a memory we will long cherish.

This is so much fun! It is a wonderful place to walk and hike. And, if you take the 11mile route around d the Arsena, you will see plenty of wildlife. The journey takes 45 minutes, but it took us 2 hours because of the amazing photo opportunities. This is worth a visit, and who can argue with Free? Thank you, Rocky Mountain Arsenal!l

I went to visit my son in Colorado and he took us to go see the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. The land is absolutely beautiful and such a peaceful drive. We encountered a Bald Eagle, prairie dogs, hawks and saw some huge deee too. It was in December so there was still snow on the ground which made for great photos

This place is so cool. We drove through in February and saw a good amount of animals, including a bald eagle. The bison just walked right across the road. Beautiful views of the mountains as well.

I love animals.They have so many great animals out at this place. I like to take the scenic drive around the park, which takes a long time if you’re stopping to take lots of animal pictures. I love seeing them from the safety of the car. Sometimes people drive really fast cause they’re in a hurry or probably don’t like animals that much.I really enjoy seeing, deer, bison, different kinds of birds, coyotes, ducks, and other animals.The wildlife center has lots of cool stuff to look at and the rangers are nice and know lots of cool facts about animals and wildlife.Sometimes the bison are sleeping or busy doing other things and they aren’t near the road. It’s always a bummer to drive all the way out there and not see them, but not the park’s fault.I also love that you can enjoy a great view of mountains from the safety of the car!

You can drive around the whole place or walk. There is catch and release fishing on certain days. The visitor center is beautiful and well maintained. I enjoy the floating boardwalks on the lake. Dogs arent allowed in though. Free admission

Omgosh, this was so fun for my family! My 9yos had so much fun looking for the wild animals! Lots to see. We did the vehicle excursion and enjoyed it immensely! Definitely take your family to see!

I really enjoyed the 10 mile drive through the park. Spotted a lot of Deers, Bisons and Prairie dogs. Best thing is that the entry is free.

Colorados Savanna! How lucky we are to have this treasure right here in the city between the airport and downtown. There are lots of prairie trails, scenic lakes and an 11 mile loop you have to experience. You are sure to see a multitude of wildlife whether fish, fowl or large herbivores. If you havent already been, make it a point to go. You will not be disappointed.

Great oasis in the middle of the urban environment. Also cool that this area that was once focused on death (chemical weapons arsenal) is now focused on life (like saving the black footed ferret species).

Really cool wildlife drive trail. Saw deer and bison.

FANTASTIC place! Incredible flora and fauna, amazing for birding, and the bison are lovely. Had a terrific hike there.

Lovely drive and nice weather, it was hard to see the animals if you didn’t have binoculars, but overall very pleasant. Would recommend

A nice break from the city, walk, fish, bike or a nice open drive with animals everywhere 254 species.

This is a wonderful treat so close to the big city. The wildlife drive is really cool. However, the signage could be a bit better, its easy to get turned around and not know where you are.

I was impressed by the size and the value of this grasslands park. Impressive. Great hiking trails, wildlife and yet no mountains.

This place is a little hidden gem. Lived in the state my whole life and never knew this was here. I wish there were more places just like this. So pleasant to just cruise through whenever you have some free time.

I went down to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal on Monday 3/11. I went right after they opened and it seemed like I had the place to myself. I liked how they had several walking trails that you could park your car at and take. I also did the 11 mile drive around. There were a ton of deer. The bison were out as well, but pretty far from the road. I didn’t have a telephoto lens, so those photos were eh. Saw a bald eagle flying, but by the time I got my camera out it was long gone.I like that in the 11 mile loop you aren’t pressured to keep going by the cars behind you. Plenty of room to pull over to snap photos and the other cars can still get on by.Make sure to hit the bathroom if you need it! Once you get past the first mile or so of the loop, there aren’t any bathrooms till you’re almost completely around the loop...well, none that I saw anyways! Lol

Beautiful, educational, and easily accessible. Take a walk back into the wild prairies only a stones throw from civilization. Scenic trails leading through prairie dog villages, across boardwalks, and into the grasslands with grazing deer. The variety of trails lets you customize a routine that works for your level. Bring the kids, binoculars, a camera, and grab one of the trail maps. Explore Colorado as it once was.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal is a wonderful place to spend the day. We enjoy all the trails, birds, and other animals we always see throughout the refuge. The visitors center is really nice. It has great information about the history of the arsenal, I had no idea everything that was produced there in the past. Theyve done a great job making a once not so nice place something special.

Beautiful wildlife drive, right in the middle of the city. Over 300 Bison now roam freely here, plus lots of birds like eagles and many other ducks, hawks, deer and prairie dogs. A few hiking trails too!! The Wildlife Drive is an easy mostly one way scenic drive through 14 plus miles of nature. Most days I see the entire herd of Bison, right on the road or just alongside. The lakes and ponds are full of birds in Spring and Summer, and even a few winter residents. Very close to DIA, allow at least 90 minutes to enjoy the wildlife here!

Really cool, wide open space with mountain views and high caliber wildlife. Its worth taking the nature drive (past the visitor center) to see herds of buffalo and deer. There are also lots of walking trails and some fishing spots. Great escape close to home!

You cant beat free. If youre looking for a nature preserve in the middle of a city, this place is pretty cool. We saw prairie dogs, deer and bison. A nice drive through the park that took about an hour.

Nice relaxing drive through some open space. Wild life is fun to see. Little welcome center with a small museum and a gift shop.

We LOVED it here. We didnt even get to see any buffalo, but it was still so fun. You get an unobstructed view of the mountains and its so quiet.We chose to drive around it. It was our last activity before we caught our flight home. We saw tons of prarie dogs and some deer . The road that they have to drive on is super nice and the self-guided tour instructions are pretty clear. I only wish they had signs posted on the road for which mile number we were on so Id know what to read from the packet. At the end there is a detour you can take to rattlesnake Hill for a 360° view of the reserve. There are binoculars on rattlesnake Hill so you can take one more look around for some buffalo . The picture is from the top of rattlesnake Hill .

Hit or miss on viewing wildlife. Will see some deer throughout and bison like to hang out more near the main road before getting into the area. 35mph one way drive around the area. Worth a trip to check out.

The arsenal is an interesting part of Denvers past. The visitors center details the areas history. Its been the site of prairie homesteads, a major chemical weapons plant, a Superfund cleanup, and now a wildlife refuge. A small herd of bison live at the refuge along with mule deer, coyote, rabbits, prairie dogs, and plenty of birds. The refuge offers a driving tour along with a handful of easy trails near the wetland areas. Admission is free.

This place is amazing!!!! ADORABLE Prairie Dogs EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK!!! Theyre all around the walking trails!! I absolutely adored it! There are two lakes within walking distance on the trails that are very pretty and peaceful, even in the winter time. We were extremely lucky the day we went as the Bison were right beside the road you drive on through the reserve. We saw several deer as well; some while walking, and some while driving. We did manage to see a Bald Eagle, but he/she was waaaaay up in the sky. I highly suggest bringing binoculars. We also saw rabbits, and several other birds. The endangered Black-Footed Ferret exhibit located near the Visitors center was interesting, and we did get to see one cute ferret curled up asleep inside. The Reserve is one of the VERY few successful breeding programs in the U.S of the Black-Footed Ferret. The ferrets are doing very well here, which makes me super happy. The employees at the Visitors center are super nice and very knowledgeable. The gift shop located in the Visitors center is also super cute. I will most certainly be back to try and see some of the ferrets actually out on the reserve, as well as the Burrowing Owls!

Excellent place to see lots of wildlife including a herd of bison that will come right up to your car! (Hint: they require you to stay in your vehicle for a good reason...)

Really liked the completed First Creek Trail in the SE corner of the refuge. Really enjoyed the raised overlook the trail leads to. We had awesome views of the Front Range on a very clear day. When visiting the refuge, you are practically guaranteed to see deer (white tailed and mule) and bison.

Nobody in town knows about this park. I walked from the Quebec Street side straight through to find its larger than Google says it is plus a locked pedestrian gate on the 56th Street side.

Loved the whole experience here. The visitor center has some cool information and the drive across the refuge is beautiful. Didnt get to see any Bison but still worth it. And its totally free!

They discriminate against bicycles even on the main road. The signs indicate you can ride a bike but the rangers will tell you different.

Great facility! Ive never seen so many bison and that close. They were right up next to the car. The prairie dogs were also very fun to watch. Park, bring a snack and get out of the city.

I was visiting from out of town and this was really cool. They have dozens of displays and information about the history of the place. I also learned about the animals that they reintroduced to the area. There are volunteers that work here who are ready and willing to help answer any questions you may have. Best part is that its all free!

Very cool drive. We saw deer, bison, rabbits, prairie dogs, birds, and a coyote all from our vehicle.

We always take visiting family and friends there as its close to town and doesnt cost anything. Normally the animals are out and about and the kids really enjoy that aspect. The visitor center has activities and a gift shop.

This place was cool First off its free so you cannot beat that! It was cool to drive through and see all the deer everywhere. I wish we could have been there where the buffalo were more active, but we enjoyed the trip. The most exciting thing was when what we believe to have been a coyote was running across the road. We all were happy to watch it as we were pulled over on the side of the road.We would recommend visiting the refuge. Good stuff!

One of my favorite driving and watching Bison, birds, deer and snakes.

Absolutely recommended. There’s a walking trail but we drove through the refuge. There’s plenty of prairie dogs, ducks, deers and singing birds (don’t know the name of the birds).Do not get out of your car in the designated area. The fines is $300 if you are caught.

This wildlife refuge is a must see! Admission is free and it is open from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor’s Center has different hours: open Wednesdays through Sundays 9 am - 4 pm (closed on Federal holidays). My wife and I went on a Monday evening, walked the Lake Mary Trail to Lake Ladora and then drove the loop. We saw prairie dogs, mule deer, coyotes, bison, and dozens of species of birds including migrating White American Pelicans. I had never seen a bison before and one was standing just off the edge of the road. We couldn’t have gotten a better view. We drove to Rattlesnake Hill Trail and Overlook and walked the trail. All the viewing scopes are in good condition and are free. There are many other trails to walk but we chose not to because of the heat and no shade on the trails. I highly recommend visiting!

Right outside of Denver the transformation of nearly 15000 acres that once made chemical weapons during WWII is now a wildlife refuge that is home to bison, deer and many other animals. The visitor center provides a history and timeline of the project. There are numerous walking trails as well as a auto route that you can drive and get a sense of what has been accomplished. And its all FREE .

I wish we would have known about this place growing up. Its crazy how you can feel like youre in the middle of the nowhere in the middle of town. I have seen bald eagles, deer, buffalo and people catching fish every time I have went.

Whats not to love? This place reminds me of the areas surrounding Yellowstone National Park (not the water or rock features, of course). There are plenty deer and prairie dogs everywhere. Bison can be found in a specific part of the loop past the apogee.

A hidden gem in plain sight. Only 20 minutes outside of Denver, the Arsenal provides a drive your own car scenic wildlife loop and a nice visitor shop with lots of educational props to learn about the history of the Arsenal. It was once a US military facility and has been restored to a wildlife sanctuary where you can see buffalo, prairie dogs, deer, and more in close proximity. The loop takes about an hour to drive.

Such a wonderful animal refuge! We were passing by on our way from Wisconsin and had to stop by for a drive through. Although the center is closed due to Covid, the drive is always a treat. Saw so many bison, deer, and prairie dogs.

Great was to spend some extra hours if you have any to spare. Did see some bison from afar and plenty of deers. Nice little trails throughout the area.