| Perhaps the only native palm trees in Arizona are tucked away in narrow, rugged canyons on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The Palm Canyon Trail is a .5-mile short hike and takes visitors near a stand of these unique plants, called California fan palms, Washingtonia filifera.The narrow canyon ahead of the parking lot is Palm Canyon. A half-mile foot trail starts at the upper end of the parking area. The trail is easy to follow but is rough most of the way due to large rocks and has some steep sections. Allow an hour to make the round trip.It is a rugged climb up to the palm trees. Plan on an extra 30 to 45 minutes to get up to the trees and back to the bottom of the canyon.The most prominent trail leads to a small sign on a slightly elevated area near the middle of the canyon. By looking upward in the narrow, north trending side canyon, you will see the palms clearly. For a short time at midday, the trees are well-lighted for photos. The rest of the time the trees are shaded.Wildlife: Visitors may see a variety of wildlife along the trail. Keep watching the skyline on both sides of the canyon for bighorn sheep. These agile mammals may be seen in Palm Canyon, usually early in the morning, moving along ridge tops or staring down at hikers.Birds: Birds are numerous for most of the year in Palm Canyon. Watch for gnatcatchers, brown towhees, and thrashers flitting about in the underbrush. In the spring and summer, look for the jet black phainopepla "hawking" insects. Swallows can be heard calling back and forth as they dart about overhead doing their acrobatics in the narrow canyon. Visitors might hear the musical call of the canyon wren echoing off the canyon walls. High above turkey vultures or a golden eagle occasionally soar into view.Geology: Palm Canyon is cut through a formation of rhyolite, a volcanic rock. Water, following cracks in the rhyolite, has eroded this canyon to its present shape. The side canyons, where the palms are located, are now being formed through the same process.If there is time, walk further up the canyon and look closely at the rocks. Some large boulders appear to be made up of many smaller rocks cemented together. These rocks are breccia, another volcanic rock, which has fallen into the canyon from the breccia formations high above Palm Canyon.The downhill pace will be faster, returning to the parking area. Notice the relative coolness in the shade of the narrow canyon. Look out across the sunshine-filled valley. It will be much warmer at the parking area, even in the winter. |
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| | | Facilities: There is no drinking water or sanitary facilities on the refuge. Camping is permitted on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Overnight parking is allowed in the Palm Canyon parking area. Best Time To Visit: Palm Canyon Trail is open year round. Fees: There are no fees charged to enter this area. Accessibility: The trail is not handicap accessible. Rules: Rattlesnakes have been seen in the canyon. Be alert and watchful, especially if climbing up to the palm trees. Directions: To get to the Palm Canyon Trail from Quartzsite, take U.S. 95 18 miles south of Quartzsite, watch for the Palm Canyon sign that indicates the junction with a dirt road. Follow the dirt road east for 9 miles toward the large, block mountain. The road is passable in a passenger car, but the ride is rough. Map: Click here for a map to Palm Canyon Trail Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted at Palm Canyon Trail. | | |
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| | | | | Address | | Kofa National Wildlife Refuge | | 356 W. First Street | | Yuma, Arizona 85364 |
| | | Phone | | General: (928) 783-7861 | |
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