| Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge encompasses 665,400 acres of pristine desert that is home to the desert bighorn sheep and the California palm, the only native palm in Arizona.Two mountain ranges dominate the landscape: the Kofa Mountains and the Castle Dome Mountains. Although these ranges are not especially high, they are extremely rugged and rise sharply from the surrounding desert plains, providing ideal bighorn sheep country.Palm Canyon, in the west end of the Kofa Mountains, is well known for its native palms. These palm trees are probably remnants from when this area was wetter and cooler than it is now. Though numbering less than 100, this handful of trees is among the only native palms in Arizona.Wildlife:Notable wildlife species found in the area include the white-winged dove, desert tortoise, and desert kit fox. Approximately 800 to 1,000 bighorn sheep now live in the refuge and, in recent years, this herd has provided animals for transplanting throughout Arizona and neighboring states. Birds that are likely to be seen at Kofa include American kestrel, white-winged dove, northern flicker, Say's phoebe, cactus wren, phainopepla, and orange-crowned warbler. The Kofa Mountain barberry (a rare plant found only in southwest Arizona) occurs on the refuge.Past mining activity has left numerous vertical shafts, drift tunnels, and open pits throughout the refuge. These are extremely dangerous due to possible caving or collapsing. No attempt should be made to enter or explore them at close range.Hunting: Regulated hunting is permitted for quail, bighorn sheep, deer, cottontail, rabbit, coyote, and fox. All other wildlife is protected. Hunting is in accordance with applicable state and refuge regulations. Licenses and permits are required. The refuge is closed to the taking of predatory animals during deer season, except that deer hunters with valid Unit 45A, 45B, and 45C deer permits may take predatory animals until they have taken a deer. Private lands occur within the refuge and may be posted. Shooting from a vehicle is prohibited. All firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns, within a vehicle must be unloaded and either cased or broken down. Trapping is not permitted on the refuge.Hunting seasons for the refuge are listed in current Arizona Game and Fish Department hunting regulations. |
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| | | Facilities: Camping is permitted. Visitors may select their own campsites; however, applicable state law prohibits camping within 1/4 mile of water holes. Vehicles must remain within 100 feet of designated roads. Backpackers may camp anywhere beyond the 100 feet limit, keeping in mind the location of waterholes. All camping is limited to 14 days during any 12-month period. Best Time To Visit: The refuge is open year round. Fees: There are no fees to enter this area. Accessibility: This area is not accessible. Rules: No vehicular travel, including bicycles, is permitted into wilderness areas. Only foot or horseback travel is permitted. Mechanized vehicular traffic is limited to designated roads. Off-road vehicle travel is prohibited. All vehicles, including ATCs, quadratrac, and motorcycles, and all drivers must be licensed and insured for highway driving. Speed is limited to 25 mph. Collecting, possessing, molesting, disturbing, injuring, destroying, removing, or transporting any plant or animal or part thereof (alive or dead) is prohibited. (Except for legally taken game.)Carrying, possessing, or discharging firearms or explosives (including fireworks) on the refuge is prohibited. Persons may use legal firearms for approved hunting, provided that firearms are unloaded and cased or dismantled when transported in vehicles.The dumping of litter, sewage, or liquid wastes on the refuge is prohibited.The refuge is closed to mineral entry. Prospecting, removal, or disturbance of sand, rock, gravel, or minerals is prohibited. (Exceptions are valid mining claims existing prior to 1974.)Pets are permitted only if they are confined. (Except the use of dogs when participating in a legal hunt.)Campfires are permitted, but only dead wood may be used. Wood is scarce, please use it sparingly. No wood may be removed from the refuge.Directions: From I-8 in California: take the Winterhaven Drive and Fourth Avenue Exit south into Yuma, Arizona. The refuge office is located at the first intersection. To get to the refuge itself, from Yuma, take Highway 95 north towards Quartzsite, Arizona, to refuge entrance signs. From Blythe or Quartzsite: From the I-10, go south along Highway 95 to the refuge entrance signs.Map: Click here for a map to Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted. | | |
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| | | | | Address | | Ray Varney, Manager | | 356 W. 1st Street | | Yuma, Arizona 85364 |
| | | Phone | | General: (928) 783-7861 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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