The Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 10, 1979, to secure habitat for the endangered Moapa dace, a small fish endemic to the headwaters of the Muddy River system.
Final Environmental Assessment of California Fan Palm Removal

The finalized environmental assessment plan for the removal of the California Fan Palm from Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge is now available for viewing.

Visit Us

Due to its small size, fragile habitats, and on-going restoration work, the wildlife refuge is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Labor Day weekend through Memorial Day weekend. Please note: After Sunday, May 26th, 2024, Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge will be closed for the summer, until after Labor Day weekend 2024, due to extreme temperatures.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      The Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 10, 1979, to secure habitat for the endangered Moapa dace, a small fish endemic to the headwaters of the Muddy River system. Dace populations were in peril due to habitat destruction and modification.

      Tours

      To schedule a group tour of the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge, contact Visitor Services at 702-515-5453, or request a tour via email to clayton_middleton@fws.gov.

      What We Do

      Every  national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge
       was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the Moapa Dace, a small endemic fish. All activities allowed on the refuge must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.

      Our Species

      The unique geology of the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge makes it an important location for native wildlife. There are five major thermal springs in Moapa valley, three of which are located within refuge boundaries. The warm springs habitat supports many unique species. Moapa dace, White River springfish, Moapa pebblesnail, and Moapa riffle beetles are all endemic to Moapa Valley, which means they are found here and nowhere else in the world. 

      Our Library

      Be sure to check out all of the past stories and news from the refuge!

      Team wraps up five-year bird-banding effort in southern Nevada

      The banding was conducted targeting breeding birds and was typically done from the middle of May until early August.