Welcome to Moapa Valley NWR

USFWS Photo

The Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established September 10, 1979, to secure habitat for the endangered Moapa dace, a small fish commonly found throughout the headwaters of the Muddy River system. In the last decade, dace populations have declined due to habitat destruction and modification.

Competition with introduced species such as the mosquitofish and shortfin molly have also added to the dace's decline. The Moapa White River springfish, however, compatibly coexists with the dace.

The refuge is located on 117 acres in northeastern Clark County and is approximately 60 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada. Dace habitat on the refuge consists of stream channels supported by six thermal springs emerging near the center of the refuge.

Due to its small size, fragile habitats, on-going restoration work and removal of unsafe structures, the refuge is only open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.until Memorial Day. The refuge is closed Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Directions: From Las Vegas, drive north on Highway I-15 to Glendale (Exit 91). Go northwest on Highway 168 for 7.4 miles to Warm Springs Road. Turn left (southwest) on Warm Springs Road and drive for 1.4 more miles. The refuge is on your left, when you see the chain link fence capped with barbed wire on both sides of the road.