Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge is a 6,100-acre national wildlife refuge in Mohave County, Arizona run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. Hours: Lands, roads and trails 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset; fishing piers 24 hours, every day of the year.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge map
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.
Common questions
- Yes. Hours at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge: Lands, roads and trails 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset; fishing piers 24 hours, every day of the year.
- No. There is no entrance fee at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge.
- Yes. Fishing is allowed on Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Three fishing docks near headquarters.
- Yes. The refuge has an auto tour route.
Hours, fees, and visitor center
Hours at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge: Lands, roads and trails 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset; fishing piers 24 hours, every day of the year.
There is no entrance fee at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge.
- Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor CenterMon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.60911 Highway 95, Parker, AZ 85344-9528928-667-4144
What visitors do here: hiking, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, birding, photography, an auto tour route, boating, paddling, environmental education.
Sources: fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river, checked 2026-09-28.
Auto tour route
- Auto tour routeViews post-fire restoration on the Bill Williams River floodplain
Source: fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Wildlife
- BirdWaterfowlWhen: winterOn Lake Havasu and from the Peninsula and Delta trails
- MammalDesert bighorn sheepOn the river-canyon cliffs
- InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species
- Reptile or amphibianDesert tortoiseResident tortoise in the visitor-center enclosure
Source: fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river, checked 2026-09-28.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is allowed on Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Three fishing docks near headquarters.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river, checked 2026-09-28.
Trails
- Peninsula TrailFrom the visitor center; first 0.25 miles paved and ADA, last 0.25 miles dirt
- Delta Loop TrailGravel spur off Peninsula Trail; overlooks the delta marsh
Source: fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Places on the refuge
- PlacePupfish pondDesert pupfish viewing near the visitor center
- Viewing areaDesert tortoise enclosureResident desert tortoise near the visitor center
- Viewing areaFishing docksThree fishing piers; open 24 hours
Source: fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
- Wilderness areaGibraltar Mountain Wilderness is 2.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkCattail Cove State Park is 2.9 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/3929 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)