The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 identifies six priority public uses for national wildlife refuges that can be compatible with the system's primary mission of wildlife conservation. These public uses are wildlife viewing, environmental education, wildlife photography, hunting, fishing, and interpretation.

The activities that a refuge allows are site specific. They depend on a variety of factors, such as the refuge's purpose, goals, surrounding land uses, resources, land base, facilities and staffing. Normally a refuge determines if a proposed public use is appropriate and then compatible. One of the most important factors in determining the compatibility of a public use is its disturbance to wildlife.

Currently public use at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is limited to every second and fourth Saturday of each month, except August. The self-guided hike will take you through managed grasslands and along a riparian zone, where you will end at a wildlife viewing platform overlooking a managed wetland.