U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

ImperialNational WildlifeRefuge

The 25,768-acreImperial NationalWildlife Refuge isone of more than500 refuges throughoutthe United States.These nationalwildlife refuges areadministered by theDepartment of theInterior, Fish andWildlife Service.The Fish and WildlifeService mission isto work with others“to conserve fishand wildlife andtheir habitat.”

ScorpionweedSheldon Damberg/USFWS Volunteer

This blue goose,designed by J.N.“Ding” Darling,has become thesymbol of theNational WildlifeRefuge System.

WelcomeImperial National Wildlife Refugeprotects wildlife habitat along 30 milesof the lower Colorado River in Arizonaand California, including the lastunchannelized section before the riverenters Mexico. The river and itsassociated backwater lakes andwetlands are a green oasis, contrastingwith the surrounding desertmountains.

Wetland wildlife is most abundant inwinter, when ‘snowbirds’ such ascinnamon teal and northern pintail usethe refuge. During the summermonths, look for permanent residentssuch as great egrets and muskrat.

In the desert, wildlife such as black-tailed jackrabbits and western whiptaillizards are plentiful. Watch at dawn anddusk for desert bighorn sheep and muledeer heading to the river for a drink.

More than 15,000 acres of ImperialNational Wildlife Refuge is federallydesignated wilderness. Wilderness isprotected to ensure that nature, notpeople, is the primary influence on thisquiet, scenic place.

Refuge Highlights

Wilderness

Imperial NWRJohn and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS

At one time, the banks of the ColoradoRiver were lined with cottonwood andwillow forests, sustained by the river’snatural periodic flooding. Animalsdepended on this green forest oasis forbreeding, resting, feeding, and shade.

Woodcutting during the steamboat era,clearing for agriculture, wild fire, exoticplants like salt cedar, and use of dams forflood prevention have devastatedcottonwood and willow stands along thelower Colorado River. Some animals thatdepend on these forests, such as thesouthwestern willow flycatcher, havebecome endangered.

Refuge staff are working with otheragencies and organizations to plantcottonwood and willow trees. From theobservation tower, look for patches ofrestored forest.

Ducks, geese, shorebirds, and otherwaterbirds flock to the lower ColoradoRiver each year to spend the winter.Refuge staff and volunteers restorewetlands, protect backwater lakes,manage marsh units, and farmcroplands to provide food and restingareas for these winter residents.

Forest in theDesert?

MarshManagement

Cinnamon TealKaren and John Hollingsworth/USFWS

The Visitor Center is open year-roundMonday through Friday from 7:30 amto 4:00 pm. From November 15through March 31, it is also openSaturdays and Sundays from 9:00 amto 4:00 pm. Enjoy the exhibits, desertgarden and observation tower.

Drive through the Sonoran desertlandscape to access the observationpoints and the Painted Desert Trail. Ifyou intend to drive further than thePainted Desert Trailhead, a 4-wheel drivevehicle is recommended. Check with theVisitor Center for road conditions.

Palo Verde, Mesquite, Ironwood, andSmoke Tree Points offer beautifulviews of the Colorado River valley.Both desert and wetland wildlife maybe seen. All of the observation pointscan be reached by vehicle.

Walk this 1.3-mile self-guided trail foran opportunity to see desert plants andwildlife. The trail takes you through arainbow of colors left by 20-30 millionyear-old volcanic activity and featuresa panoramic view of the Colorado Rivervalley.

ObservationPoints

Things to do atthe Refuge

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Gambel’s QuailThomas A. Gatz/USFWS

Looking for a quiet place to canoe orfish? Meers Point has shaded tables,toilets, and a boat launch.

The refuge surrounds one of the fewremaining “wild” places on theColorado River. This stretch is valuedby boaters for its remote scenery.

The desert can be dangerously hot anddry. Be sure to carry and drink plentyof water, use sunscreen, and wearlight-colored clothing, including a hat.

Watch out for stinging insects, venomousreptiles, and thorny plants. Avoid puttingyour hands and feet under rocks or intocrevices and plants, and watch where youstep or sit.

Meers Point

Colorado River

For Your Safety

Wildlife Watching Tips

Dawn and dusk are the besttimes to see wildlife.

This is a warm climate, so littleis moving on hot summerafternoons or on windy days.

Observe from the sidelines. Leave“abandoned” young animals alone.A parent is probably close bywaiting for you to leave. Don’toffer snacks; your lunch coulddisrupt wild digestive systems.

Cars make good observationblinds. Drive slowly, stopping toscan places wildlife might hide.Use binoculars or a long lens fora closer look.

Try sitting quietly in one goodlocation. Let wildlife get used toyour presence. Many animalsthat have hidden will reappearonce they think you are gone.Walk quietly in designated areas,being aware of sounds andsmells. Often you will hear morethan you will see.

Teach children quietobservation. Other wildlifewatchers will appreciate yourconsideration.

Look for animal signs.

Tracks, scat, feathers, andnests left behind often tellinteresting stories.

Zebra-tailed LizardKaren and John Hollingsworth/USFWS

Off-RoadVehicles

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Hiking, photography, and wildlifeobservation are permitted on therefuge, except within closed areas.

Rock, Mineral,and AntiquityProtection

Hiking,Photography,and WildlifeObservation

Travel in wilderness areas is by foot orhorseback only.

Hunting and fishing are permitted,according to state regulations, in someareas. Contact the Visitor Center formore information.

Unconfined domestic animals are notallowed. Pets are permitted only ifunder your control at all times.

Boating is permitted in some areas.Water skiing and tubing are prohibitedon designated areas of the refuge.

Vehicles are permitted on designatedroads only. All off-road vehicle travel isprohibited. Motorized vehicles,including all-terrain vehicles andmotorcycles, and operators must belicensed and insured for highwaydriving. Speed limit is 25 mph unlessposted otherwise.

It is illegal to remove, deface, ordamage rocks, minerals, semi-preciousstones, Indian artifacts, paleontologicalobjects, or objects of antiquity.

Fires

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Weapons Otherthan Firearms

Plant andAnimalProtection

Camping

Collecting, possessing, molesting,disturbing, injuring, destroying,removing, or transporting any plant oranimal or part thereof (alive or dead) isprohibited, except for legally takengame.

Camping is not permitted on therefuge.

Fires are not permitted on the refuge.

Carrying, possessing, or dischargingfirearms or explosives (includingfireworks) on the refuge is prohibited.Persons may use legal firearms forapproved hunting provided that whenbeing transported in vehicles they areunloaded and cased or dismantled.

Possession or use of crossbows, bowand arrows, air guns, or other weaponsis prohibited except when they areused for approved hunting.

Take Highway 95 north from Yuma orsouth from Quartzite. Turn (west) ontoMartinez Lake Road for 10 miles. Turnright (north) onto Red Cloud MineRoad. Follow the brown refuge signsapproximately 3.5 miles to the VisitorCenter.

February 14, 1941

25,768 acres.

As a refuge and breeding area formigratory birds and other wildlife.

When was itestablished?

How big is it?

Why is it here?

Imperial NWRFacts

Where is it?

Imperial National Wildlife RefugeP.O. Box 72217Yuma, Arizona 85365928/783-3371928/783-0652 Fax

http://www.fws.gov/southwest

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicehttp://www.fws.gov

For Refuge Information1 800/344-WILD

Arizona Relay Service1 800/367-8939

June 2006