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Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective 6/8/2024 12:01 AM

On June 8, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is implementing fire restrictions in Southern Nevada, including Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Visitors are required to use grills or the provided fire rings. No rock rings or ground fires are allowed. 

View the press release here or visit NEVADAFIREINFO.ORG to see full restriction order information and helpful maps.

A paradise for many species of wildlife and plants, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge serves as an essential stopover location for waterfowl and songbirds as they migrate south in the fall and back north in the early spring along the Pacific Flyway. Located in a region of Southern Nevada that only receives 6.4 inches of rain per year, the 5,382-acre refuge is truly a unique landscape where lush wetlands and tall cottonwood trees meet the Mojave Desert. Fed by the life-giving waters of Crystal and Ash Springs, here you will find acres of lakes, marshes, and wet meadows surrounded by desert uplands and a stunning array of flora and fauna. The Refuge staff invites you to visit the refuge and experience the wonder of this desert oasis!
Fall Hours 2024 Update

The Visitor Center will be closed October 1-17, 2024.* We plan to return to 10:00am - 4:00pm, Friday-Sunday, open hours on October 18. 

*We will be OPEN on October 5 from 10:00am - 3:00pm. 

Visit Us

National Wildlife Refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Whether hiking, hunting, camping, or fishing, your visit will be enriched with beautiful landscapes and wildlife here at Pahranagat NWR. Best of all there is no cost to visit! 

Location and Contact Information

      Youth duck hunter in the marsh with an American widgeon
      Youth Hunt Days at Pahranagat NWR

      SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
      SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2024

      Special youth hunt is open to hunters 17 years old or younger. Youth Hunters must be accompanied by an appropriately licensed adult who is at least 18 years old or older. Bag limits/possession limits during the special hunt are the same as the bag/possession limits for the General South Zone Waterfowl regulations. For a full list of regulations please consult the Nevada Small Game hunting regulations and season booklet and the Refuge hunting brochure/

      ADULTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HUNT DURING SPECIAL YOUTH HUNT DAYS.  

      *IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY YOUTH HUNTER YOUNGER THAN 18 TO HUNT ANY WILDLIFE WITH ANY FIREARM, UNLESS THE YOUTH IS ACCOMPANIED AT ALL TIMES BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, OR AN ADULT 18 YEARS OR OLDER AUTHORIZED BY THE YOUTH’S PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO HAVE CONTROL OR CUSTODY OF THE YOUTH HUNTER.


      50 CFR 26.22
       

      About Us

      A Managed Sanctuary... 

      The Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is managed as a sanctuary where present and future generations of people can discover a connection to the rhythms of life. In spring, indigo bush and beavertail cactus bloom at the edges of verdant meadows and wetlands, fed by brimming lakes. The vital spring-fed waters of this Mojave Desert oasis attract thousands of migratory birds each year. Pahranagat NWR’s seasonal marsh, wet meadows, and alkali flats provide high-quality resting and foraging habitat for wintering and migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds along the Pacific Flyway. Riparian gallery forests of willow, cottonwood, and associated plant communities support a flourishing population of the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, as well as a rich diversity of migratory and resident songbirds, colonial nesting species, and birds of prey. Coveys of Gambel’s quail emerge at dusk, along with abundant cottontails and jackrabbits, as nighthawks, coyotes, and owls begin to hunt. Each fall brings returning waterfowl and waterfowl hunters, while mountain lions follow mule deer down into the valley. 

      ...with so much to explore!   

      Pahranagat NWR’s recreational opportunities will bring visitors into close proximity with wildlife.  There have been 264 bird species recorded on the refuge, which is over half of all birds recorded in the state of Nevada! Visitors also have the opportunity to experience five different habitats all in one afternoon here at the Refuge.  Click here to watch a film and learn more! 

      Tours

      Ranger-Led Guided Hikes Schedule*

      Scorpion Hunts Join us on the following dates and locations at 8:30 pm to learn about our arachnid friends, while also getting a chance to look around the refuge in the evening to see how many scorpions you can find! UV lights will be provided at the programs. Please bring light sources to the program and be dressed for the weather.

      • South End of the Upper Pahranagat Lake Campground
        • June 10, July 11, August 5 @ 8:30 pm
      • Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge Parking Area
        • June 24, July 29, August 26 @ 8:30 pm

      Star Talk On July 8th, at 10:00 pm, join a ranger as we discuss the importance of the night sky, how it impacts the birds that make their way through Pahranagat, and get a chance to look an enjoy the night sky, including seeing stars, constellations, and even the Milky Way galaxy! Please make sure to be dressed for the weather, as part of the talk will be held on the cross-lake portion of the Upper Lake Trail.

      What We Do

      The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from establishing the purpose of a refuge, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge. 

      Our Organization

      The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources as well as their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. 

      Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature, or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National Wildlife Refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. National Wildlife Refuges partner with local nonprofit organizations, volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors, and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.  

      Our Species

      Projects and Research

      Refuges use a wide range of land management tools based on the best science available. Some refuges use prescribed fires to mimic natural fires that would have cleared old vegetation from the land helping native plants regenerate and local wildlife to thrive. Other refuges contain Wilderness areas where land is largely managed in a passive manner. The management tools used are aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach where both wildlife and people will benefit.