Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is a 18,425-acre national wildlife refuge in Imperial County, California, established in 1964, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Southwest Arizona National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Cibola National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge map
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restrictions change with the season and can start or lift within days. Check the current orders for this area before any campfire, stove, smoking, target shooting or off-road driving.
Common questions
- Yes. Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
- No. There is no entrance fee at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.
- Yes. Hunting is allowed on Cibola National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. 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 Cibola 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 Cibola 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, Goose Loop Auto Tour (graded gravel).
Hours, fees, and visitor center
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
There is no entrance fee at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.
What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Auto tour route
- Goose Loop Auto Tourgraded gravelAuto tour loop; nature trail and observation platform adjacent
Source: fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Wildlife
- BirdWaterfowl
- BirdMigratory birds
Hunting
Hunting is allowed on Cibola National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. 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 Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Source: fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is allowed on Cibola 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/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on Cibola National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Trails
- Nature TrailCornfield and desert nature trails near the Colorado River floodplain
- Desert TrailCornfield and desert nature trails near the Colorado River floodplain
- Cornfield Nature TrailCornfield and desert nature trails near the Colorado River floodplain
Source: fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Places on the refuge
- OverlookVisitor center observation platformMid-trail platform on the nature trail loop
Source: fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Cibola
- 40 miles from Yuma
Source: fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
- BLM unitCibola National Wildlife Refuge borders Chuckwalla National Monument.
- Wilderness areaImperial Refuge Wilderness is 0.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- Wilderness areaPalo Verde Mountains Wilderness is 0.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- Wilderness areaIndian Pass Wilderness is 0.9 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/cibola (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cibola/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cibola/about-us (accessed 2026-09-29)