Imperial National Wildlife Refuge - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Outdoors- Other

About Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge protects wildlife habitat along 30 miles of the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California, including the last un-channeled section before the river enters Mexico. The Imperial Refuge Wilderness, a federally designated, 15,056-acre, wilderness area is protected within the refuge. This section of the Colorado River is popular for boating, hiking, fishing, camping, exploring old mining camps and wildlife watching.

Interior of a hotel

Hotels near Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Checkout accommodations closest to Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Activities Around

Attractions Near Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Trigo Mountain Wilderness

Trigo Mountain Wilderness

10.48km from Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Trigo Mountains Wilderness is a 30,300-acre wilderness area in the U.S. state of Arizona and was established in 1990. The wilderness area is one of the many wildernesses located within the Lower Colorado River Valley. The Trigo Mountains Wilderness is the northeastern mountain border of the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge along the Colorado River. It is also just east of the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. These rugged desert mountain ecosystems are home to the Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge

23.77km from Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge in the floodplain of the lower Colorado River between Arizona and California and surrounded by a fringe of desert ridges and washes. The refuge encompasses both the historic Colorado River channel as well as a channelized portion constructed in the late 1960s. Along with these main waterbodies, several important backwaters are home to many wildlife species that reside in this Yuma Desert portion of the Sonoran Desert.

Mittry Lake Wildlife Area

Mittry Lake Wildlife Area

39.46km from Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

The Mittry Lake Wildlife Area offers a wide variety of habitats, from open lakes to cattail marshes and streamside woodlands, providing an equally wide opportunity for wildlife-based recreation. There is a wide variety of vegetative and wildlife species can be found here, with a scenic backdrop of three mountain ranges. Numerous serpentine waterways connect to main lake body and make exploring by boat a unique experience.

Mittry Lake

Mittry Lake

41.55km from Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

A beautiful lake located at the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area, just north of Yuma, Arizona, on the Lower Colorado River. It offers a wide variety of habitats, from open lakes to cattail marshes and streamside woodlands, providing an equally wide opportunity for wildlife-based recreation. There is a three-lane boat launch ramp for motorized boating on the lake. There are no facilities or designated areas for camping, but camping is allowed.

Paradise Casino

Paradise Casino

46.58km from Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

A small tribal casino located in the city of yuma. It is owned and operated by the Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation. It is one of the iconic attraction here and it welcomes all the peoples.

West Wetlands Park

West Wetlands Park

46.88km from Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

A majestic public park at the northwest edge of Yuma, Arizona. It is located along the Colorado River within the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. The 110‐acre West Wetlands Park is a jewel and beloved by the citizens of Yuma. There are so many things to see and do here.

Discover More Attractions in La Paz County, Home of Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

La Paz County

La Paz County

32 attractions

La Paz County is the 15th county in the U.S. state of Arizona, located in the western part of the state. La Paz County offers residents and visitors a combination of water and desert recreational activities. In the Parker area, water recreation is king. The 16.5 mile stretch of the Colorado River in the county, known as the Parker Strip, offers some of the best water for skiing, boating, jet skiing, wave-running, and swimming, as well as excellent fishing in the western United States. Desert rat

Location of Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Comments

For more information about Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/imperial