Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Overview

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (Taylor S. Kennedy/National Geographic/Getty)

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

Contact Details
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 3009
Needles, CA 92363
Phone: 760-326-3853

If you're lucky, you may spot bighorn sheep on the steep slopes. You’re likely to see mud nests of swallows on the cliffs as well as herons, geese, ducks, long-billed prospectors, and red-winged blackbirds.
Topock Gorge is a superb day trip for canoeists, kayakers, and rafters, taking about seven hours for the 17 river miles. Swift currents of the Colorado River speed you along without rapids or serious turbulence.
Thirty-two percent of the refuge, 17,606 acres, is designated wilderness, which presents a special opportunity for the prepared hiker. The first rule is to bring plenty of water, as this is a desert environment.
The refuge's website has brochures, regulations, bird and plant lists, and maps. Or you can contact the office in Needles, California.

By Travel Expert: Bill Weir

Established in 1941, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Pintail Slough, Fivemile Landing, and Catfish Paradise are popular hot spots for birding. Each of these areas has available parking and can be accessed by foot.
The Havasu Wilderness is rich in avian wildlife: quail, geese, ducks, grebes, cranes, rails, herons, egrets, falcons, and eagles, as well as migratory waterfowl and migrating songbirds, can be seen in the refuge. Four endangered bird species—the Yuma clapper rail, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, and southern Bald Eagle—also can be found in the refuge.
Most of the refuge is accessible only by boat; however, areas for birding that can be reached by land are along the marshes near Golden Shore and Topock—both are on the Colorado River north of the US 40 bridge.
Try participating in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in the Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. Each year volunteers track the winter bird populations and distributions in a variety of areas and the information is compiled and reported back to the Audubon Society.

By Travel Expert: Kim Lipker

Published: 28 Oct 2008 | Last Updated: 13 Sep 2011
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication

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