Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a 136-acre national wildlife refuge in Clark County, Nevada, established in 1979, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is no entrance fee. Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., September through May; closed June, July and August. Camping is not allowed.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge map
Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Closures
- Every year from June 1 to August 31: Closed during June, July and August because of the refuge's small size, fragile habitat and ongoing restoration work (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.
Common questions
- Only at set times. Hours at Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., September through May; closed June, July and August.
- No. There is no entrance fee at Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
- No. Camping is not allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
- No. Hunting is not allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Discharging a firearm is prohibited on the refuge.
- No. Fishing is not allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
- Yes. Dogs are allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Dogs must stay on marked trails and pathways; owners must clean up after them.
- No. Drones may not be launched, landed or flown on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Hours, fees, and visitor center
Hours at Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., September through May; closed June, July and August.
There is no entrance fee at Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
What visitors do here: wildlife viewing, hiking, environmental education.
Sources: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley, checked 2026-09-27; fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/about-us, checked 2026-09-27; fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/activities/education-programs, checked 2026-09-27.
Wildlife
- Fish, endangered, found nowhere elseMoapa daceThe refuge was established for it; 1,935 dace counted in the Muddy River system as of February 2024
- Fish, found nowhere elseMoapa White River springfishVisible with Moapa dace through the stream viewing window
- Invertebrate, found nowhere elseMoapa pebblesnail
- Invertebrate, found nowhere elseMoapa riffle beetle
- InvertebrateDragonfliesLook for them on a streamside stroll through the oasis
- BirdHummingbirdsLook for them on a streamside stroll through the oasis
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/species, checked 2026-09-27.
Hunting
Hunting is not allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Discharging a firearm is prohibited on the refuge.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/rules-policies, checked 2026-09-27.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is not allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/rules-policies, checked 2026-09-27.
Camping
Camping is not allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Campfires: Open fires and fireworks are prohibited.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/rules-policies, checked 2026-09-27.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Dogs must stay on marked trails and pathways; owners must clean up after them.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/rules-policies, checked 2026-09-27.
Trails
- Interpretive Trail
- Warm Springs Overlook TrailClimbs to a view of the valley oasis, the Warm Springs Natural Area and the surrounding mountains
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/trails, checked 2026-09-27.
Places on the refuge
- Viewing areaStream viewing windowUnderwater view of the endangered Moapa dace, Moapa White River springfish and other aquatic wildlife in their habitat
- SpringThermal springsThree of the Moapa Valley's five major thermal springs are on the refuge, averaging 90 degrees F where they discharge
- PlacePicnic pavilionShaded pavilion with picnic tables
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley, checked 2026-09-27.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Glendale, 9 miles
- 60 miles from Las Vegas
Source: fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us, checked 2026-09-27.
Public lands next to Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Wilderness areaArrow Canyon Wilderness is 2.6 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.
Photos
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/about-us (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/species (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/trails (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/rules-policies (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa-valley/visit-us/activities/education-programs (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/desert/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-27)
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Moapa_Valley_National_Wildlife_Refuge (accessed 2026-09-27)