Rocky Mountain Arsenalwinter wildlife

Bald eagles migrating from the north shelter at night in the cottonwoods along the lakes in winter, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak): winter. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

Not now: its usual winter wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: winter, local timing.

Eagles migrating from the north shelter in the big cottonwoods along the lake edges; a resident pair also starts tending its nest in winter, for eggs that hatch in late March.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Sunrise to sunset in fall, winter and spring. Stay on the trails and in your vehicle around bison; only service dogs are allowed.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Yes, sometimes on short notice, for wildlife needs, weather or special projects.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

As the Army's cleanup met federal and state requirements, it transferred land to the Fish and Wildlife Service, which set up the refuge in 2004; cleanup finished in 2010 at 15,000 acres, one of the largest urban refuges in the country.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Wildlife Drive: an 11-mile drive with an audio tour, about 45 to 60 minutes; stay in your vehicle when viewing bison; Lake Mary Loop Trail: a 0.6-mile loop with a boardwalk and piers over the water; Lower Derby Observation Deck: an observation deck at Lower Derby Lake, in the refuge's official facility list.

Ferruginous hawks and other raptors hunt the prairie; bald eagles roost in the lakeside cottonwoods (Dec–Feb), Bullock's orioles, warblers and finches in the woods; mountain bluebirds pass through (Mar–May) and Prairie wildflowers in bloom; white pelicans fishing together (Jun–Aug).