Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Located in southern Albany County, Hutton Lake National Widlife Refuge contains 1,968 acres that include 5 named (Hutton, Hoge, George, Rush and Creighton) alpine lakes and their associated wetlands. The Refuge is located at 7,150' in elevation. This is a montane, park-like area surrounded by higher mountains on the southern Laramie Plains. The Refuge habitat consists of 560 acres of open water and marsh with an additional 1,408 acres of grassland/greasewood uplands.

Hutton Lake was set aside as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1932 to preserve and protect valuable resting and breeding habitat for migrating birds and other resident wildlife. Management programs at Hutton lake involve grazing and water manipulation for the benefit of the birds and wildlife. Another effort is underway attempting to control the noxious weed salt cedar. As part of the Wyoming toad recovery program, Lake George is being used as a site for the captive breeding and release of the endangered toads.

Hutton Lake offers wildlife observation and photography opportunities to the public. To get there: Go south from the I-80 in Laramie on US Highway 287 for 1/2 mile. Then go right on Fort Sanderson Drive to the Monolith Concrete Plant. Go right across the railroad tracks, then go immediately left on Sand Creek Road (CR 34) for about 7 miles to a directional sign for the Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Turn right and follow the road to the Refuge boundary fence.

Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is administered out of the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge office in Walden, Colorado.