National wildlife refuge

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Imperial County, California run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge map

Sonny Bono Salton Sea 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. Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Sonny Bono Salton Sea 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 Sonny Bono Salton Sea 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 Sonny Bono Salton Sea 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, Vendel Road auto tour (2 miles).

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

There is no entrance fee at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge.

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

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sonny-bono-salton-sea/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Auto tour route

  • Vendel Road auto tour2 miUnit 1 driving route near the south end of the Salton Sea

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sonny-bono-salton-sea/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Wildlife

  • BirdWaterfowl
  • BirdMigratory birds

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Sonny Bono Salton Sea 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 Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sonny-bono-salton-sea/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Sonny Bono Salton Sea 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/sonny-bono-salton-sea/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sonny-bono-salton-sea/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Hardenberger Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Observation Deck Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
  • Rock Hill Trail(easy)Signed refuge trail; see refuge map for closures

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sonny-bono-salton-sea/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Places on the refuge

  • OverlookRock Hill observationSummit at the end of Rock Hill Trail overlooking the Salton Sea
  • OverlookMichael Hardenberger Trail observation towerTower and deck on the Unit 1 duck pond loop

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sonny-bono-salton-sea/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

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