National wildlife refuge

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Imperial 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 Imperial National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: USFWS, Public domain

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge map

Imperial 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

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. Imperial National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.
No. Camping is not allowed on Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Imperial National Wildlife Refuge for 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 Imperial 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 Imperial National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

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

There is no entrance fee at Imperial 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/imperial/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/imperial, checked 2026-09-28.

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birds

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Imperial National Wildlife Refuge for 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 Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

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

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Imperial 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/imperial/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Camping

Camping is not allowed on Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.

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

Pets

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

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

Trails

  • Desert Garden Trail(easy)Desert garden and painted desert interpretive trails at Meers Point
  • Meers Point Trail(easy)Desert garden and painted desert interpretive trails at Meers Point
  • Painted Desert Trail(easy)Desert garden and painted desert interpretive trails at Meers Point
  • Pupfish Pond Trail(easy)Desert garden and painted desert interpretive trails at Meers Point

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

Public lands next to Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

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