National wildlife refuge

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is a 117,500-acre national wildlife refuge in Pima County, Arizona, established in 1985, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Southwest Arizona National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is no entrance fee. Hours: Refuge trails are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Stolz, Gary M. - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Original uploader was Mattisse at en.wikipedia, Public domain

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge map

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

View larger map Open in Google Maps Directions

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 Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: Refuge trails are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
No. There is no entrance fee at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge for upland game birds and big game. A refuge permit is required on top of the state license. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
Yes. Fishing is allowed on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Yes. The refuge has an auto tour route, Pronghorn Drive (10 miles, graded gravel).

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: Refuge trails are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.

There is no entrance fee at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires, checked 2026-09-28; fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Auto tour route

  • Pronghorn Drive10 mi, graded gravelLoop through open grassland with Altar Valley views; signed south of headquarters.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Wildlife

  • MammalMule deer
  • MammalPronghorn
  • InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires, checked 2026-09-28.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge for upland game birds and big game. A refuge permit is required on top of the state license. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.

Hunting rules for Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires, checked 2026-09-28.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Aguirre Lake Trail(easy)Arivaca Cienega and creek trails are popular birding routes; high-clearance roads elsewhere
  • Arivaca Cienega Nature Trail(easy)Arivaca Cienega and creek trails are popular birding routes; high-clearance roads elsewhere
  • Arivaca Creek Trail(easy)Arivaca Cienega and creek trails are popular birding routes; high-clearance roads elsewhere
  • Mustang Trail(easy)Arivaca Cienega and creek trails are popular birding routes; high-clearance roads elsewhere
  • Ranch Loop Trail(easy)Arivaca Cienega and creek trails are popular birding routes; high-clearance roads elsewhere

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Places on the refuge

  • PlaceAltar Valley grasslandsOpen grassland habitat circled by Pronghorn Drive.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Arivaca
  • 60 miles from Tucson

Source: fws.gov/refuge/buenos-aires/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.