Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Located along a 30-mile stretch along the Colorado River, the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge exists to protect the lakes, wetlands, and desert mountains in the area. The refuge is located about 40 miles north west of Yuma, Arizona. The area is most abundant during the winter months when animals migrate from colder parts of the country to the wetlands. During the summer you may still see animals like muskrats and egrets. Deeper into the desert potion of the area are western whiptail lizards and jackrabbits. If you are camping in the area or you make it out there right around sunrise, there is a good chance you will catch a mule deer or bighorn sheep. Both typically wander out of their usual isolated areas for drinks at the river. There are more than 15,000-acres of land on the refuge, which is federally designated protected land. The intent is to make sure that the animals that are natives to the area are the main impact on the land and that people only travel through occasionally on foot. There was a time when this area was covered in forest land. Woodcutting cleared out a good portion of it, as well as wild fires and dam building for flood prevention. There is a staff on duty at the refuge who are available to help with questions and patrol the area for the safety of both people and animals.