National wildlife refuge

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in San Bernardino County, California 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. Camping is not allowed.

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

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: USFWS, Public domain

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge map

Havasu 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

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. Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.
No. Camping is not allowed on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl, upland game birds, and big game. 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 Havasu 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 Havasu 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, 5-mile auto tour loop (5 miles).

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

There is no entrance fee at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

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

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

Auto tour route

  • 5-mile auto tour loop5 miWildlife viewing loop on the Arizona portion of the refuge

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

Wildlife

  • BirdWaterfowl
  • MammalDesert bighorn sheep
  • InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species

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

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl, upland game birds, and big game. 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 Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Havasu 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/havasu/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Camping

Camping is not allowed on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

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

Pets

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

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

Trails

  • Castle Rock Trail(easy)Colorado River and mesquite bay shoreline trails; some routes close seasonally for wildlife
  • Dee Dee Delorenzo Memorial Trail(easy)Colorado River and mesquite bay shoreline trails; some routes close seasonally for wildlife
  • Dive Cliffs Trail(easy)Colorado River and mesquite bay shoreline trails; some routes close seasonally for wildlife
  • Mesquite Bay North Trail(easy)Colorado River and mesquite bay shoreline trails; some routes close seasonally for wildlife
  • Mesquite Bay South Trail(easy)Colorado River and mesquite bay shoreline trails; some routes close seasonally for wildlife
  • Needles Mountain Trail(easy)Colorado River and mesquite bay shoreline trails; some routes close seasonally for wildlife

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

Places on the refuge

  • Viewing areaMesquite Bay fishing dockAccessible dock at the end of Mesquite Bay North Trail

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

Public lands next to Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

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