National wildlife refuge

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is a 803,418-acre national wildlife refuge in Yuma County, Arizona, established in 1939, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. Hours: Visitor center and Charlie Bell Road access; most of the refuge requires permits and high-clearance travel, every day of the year.

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

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: DiverDave, CC BY-SA 4.0

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge map

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

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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

Only at set times. Hours at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge: Visitor center and Charlie Bell Road access; most of the refuge requires permits and high-clearance travel, every day of the year.
No. There is no entrance fee at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.
No. Hunting is not allowed on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. General public hunting not available where refuge access is closed or permit-only.
No. Fishing is not allowed on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Yes. The refuge has 2 auto tour routes: Camino Del Diablo and Charlie Bell Road.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge: Visitor center and Charlie Bell Road access; most of the refuge requires permits and high-clearance travel, every day of the year.

There is no entrance fee at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Cabeza Prieta NWR Visitor CenterAjo, AZ

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

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

Auto tour routes

  • Camino Del Diablofour-wheel driveHistoric desert road; high-clearance/4WD; visitor permit required.
  • Charlie Bell Roadfour-wheel driveNamed road/trail corridor on the Charlie Bell and Camino Del Diablo guide.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birds
  • InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species

Source: fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta, checked 2026-09-28.

Hunting

Hunting is not allowed on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. General public hunting not available where refuge access is closed or permit-only.

Hunting rules for Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is not allowed on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. No public fishing where refuge lands are closed to entry.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

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

Source: fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Child's Mountain Trail
  • Range Viewing Trail
  • Visitor Center Interpretive Trail

Source: fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Places on the refuge

  • PlaceEast Side hikes areaOut-and-back hikes near Ajo; FWS publishes an East Side Hikes Guide.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

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