Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

Whether hiking, hunting, camping, or fishing, your visit will be enriched with the wildlife of Pahranagat NWR.

• Boating
  Non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors are permitted on Middle Marsh Unit and Lower Lake throughout the year, and on Upper Lake from February 1 through September 30. Upper Lake is closed to boating October 1-January 30. Due to fragile habitats, the use of boats, rubber rafts , or other flotation devices is not permitted on the North Marsh at any time.

  Watercraft must be in compliance with all applicable state and federal rules. Trailer launching is not permitted. To prevent the spread of invasive species, only car-top watercraft are permitted.

  State law requires a wearable Personal Flotation Device on board for each person. All boat passengers under twelve years old must wear a life jacket while in a boat that is underway.

• Camping
  Fifteen primitive lakeside campsites are available along Upper Pahranagat Lake. Sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. They are free of charge, though a donation box is provided at the registration kiosk if you choose to make a contribution. The refuge may reserve sites for groups participating in a service project as part of their stay. If you’d like to organize a service project, contact the Visitor Services Specialist at 775-725-3417 ext. 101 or at barbara_michel@fws.gov.

  Several of the sites can accommodate multiple tents, camping trailers, or RVs. No electrical, water or waste treatment facilities are available. Vault toilets (no flush) are provided. Visitors may stay for a maximum of fourteen days within a 31 day period. Quiet hours are from 10pm to 7am. Generators are allowed, but if the generator is noisy it should be shut down overnight to respect other campers.

  Fires are allowed only in provided grills and fire pits. Please do not construct rock fire rings.

• Fishing
  Fishing is permitted year-round in designated areas of the refuge, subject to all applicable State, Federal, and Refuge regulations. North Marsh is closed to fishing from October 1 to February 1. Upper Lake and Middle Marsh can be fished year-round. The most common fishes found in the refuge waters are carp, largemouth bass, green sunfish, and catfish. The Upper Lake and North Marsh offer the best fishing opportunities.
• Guided Walks
  Refuge naturalists and volunteers offer a wide variety of free guided programs designed to showcase the amazing wildlife of the refuge. Be it birding or a night hike, your group of seven or more will discover the bounty and rarity of the refuge’s habitat and wildlife.
• Hiking
  The three mile Upper Lake Trail encircles the lake and provides an excellent opportunity to see waterfowl throughout the year. Running between the Upper Lake Trail and the refuge’s headquarters, the Davenport Trail climbs into drier desert habitat of the refuge and offers several scenic overlooks. Hiking is also available on roads throughout the refuge.
• Hunting
  Hunting of geese, ducks, coots, moorhens, quail, snipes and rabbits is permitted on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during the official hunting season. Dove hunting is permitted daily during the regular hunting season (typically September). Hunting of big game, coyotes, crows and swans is prohibited. The public hunting area begins just North of Dove Dike and ends near the southern shore of Lower Lake.
• Wildlife Observation
  The abundance of wetlands on the refuge supports a large and diverse population of wildlife. As one of the most popular birding locations in southern Nevada, visitors can expect to see several species of waterfowl and songbirds throughout the year. Hikers exploring during the early morning or evening hours often see some of the refuge’s many mule deer. To view pictures of the refuge’s wildlife please see the multimedia gallery. A listing of Pahranagat birds is also available.

Other refuges in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex include: Ash Meadows NWR, Moapa Valley NWR, and Pahranagat NWR.