National wildlife refuge

Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge

Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Washoe County, Nevada, established in 1913, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is closed to all public use: no one may land on or enter it.

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

Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge map

Anaho Island 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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Closures

The refuge is closed to all public access (as of September 27, 2026). Current notice
Boats are prohibited within 1,000 feet of the island (as of September 27, 2026). Current notice
The island is within the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation; tribal permits are required to visit the reservation (online, at the Nixon gas station or the Sutcliffe ranger station) (as of September 27, 2026). Current notice

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.

Nevada Fire Info, BLM Nevada's interagency fire site, keeps the Nevada fire restrictions map and signed orders for every fire zone, and a Nevada fire map of active fires.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Stillwater NWR Complex Headquarters and Visitor Contact StationOff the refuge, in town.Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.3175 Freeman Lane, Fallon, NV 89406775-423-5128

Source: fws.gov/refuge/anaho-island/visit-us, checked 2026-09-27.

Wildlife

BirdAmerican white pelicanOne of the largest nesting colonies in the western United States
BirdDouble-crested cormorantColonial nesting bird on the island
BirdCalifornia gullColonial nesting bird on the island
BirdCaspian ternColonial nesting bird on the island
BirdGreat blue heronColonial nesting bird on the island

Source: iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/215095, checked 2026-09-27.

Places on the refuge

IslandAnaho IslandRocky island in southeastern Pyramid Lake, the lake's largest; size varies with lake level (247 acres in 1913)
Viewing areaPyramid Lake west shore viewpointsThe only views of the refuge are from the west side of the lake; the east side is closed to public access