Pahranagat

National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The southern Paiute people 

believe that Kwi-nat’-sits, the 

red-tailed hawk, originated 

in a canyon near the 

southern boundary of 

Pahranagat National 

Wildlife Refuge. He perched 

on the canyon walls, 

watching and protecting his 

domain. When the climate 

became drier and the water 

level lowered in the canyon, 

it left a white band across the 

bottom of Kwi-nat’-sits’ tail 

feathers, just as it left a white 

mark on the canyon walls.
The Paiutes’ oral history and 

the geologic record indicate that 

thousands of years ago Nevada 

was much cooler and wetter than 

it is today. Many valleys contained 

lakes which dried up as the climate 

warmed, leaving white mineral 

deposits on valley and canyon walls. 

Today, Pahranagat National Wildlife 

Refuge (NWR) contains several lakes 

and marshes, similar to those which 

once occurred throughout many 

parts of southern Nevada.

In the Paiute language, Pahranagat 

means “Valley of Shining Water,” 

an apt name for this wetland oasis 

straddling the Mojave and Great 

Basin Deserts. Pahranagat NWR is a 

paradise for many species of wildlife 

and plants. Here you can watch as 

hundreds of ducks and geese alight 

on the lakes after a long journey 

north or south, thrill at the sight of 

a soaring bald eagle, photograph 

the desert in bloom after rain, or be 

fascinated by a blazing sunset.

In 1963, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service recognized the value of the 

Pahranagat Valley and designated 

5,380 acres of lakes, marshes, 

wet meadows and desert uplands 

as Pahranagat National Wildlife 

Refuge. Located on the Pacific 

Flyway, the refuge is an essential 

stopover for waterfowl and songbirds 

as they migrate south in the fall and 

back north in early spring. 

Pahranagat NWR is one of more 

than 550 refuges in the National 

Wildlife Refuge System, a network 

of lands set aside specifically for 

wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, the System is 

a living heritage, conserving wildlife 

and habitat for people today and 

generations to come.

Introduction

Marsh wren

 D. Menke/USFWS
Seasons of the Refuge

Each season of the year has its own 

unique beauty and wildlife activity. 

We invite you to visit the refuge at 

different times of year to experience 

its full variety of wildlife.

Migrating birds arrive during the 

spring, to fuel up for longer journeys 

north, or to begin nesting. Greater 

sandhill cranes feed 

in grasslands and wet 

meadows in February 

and March. Geese and 

ducks begin to arrive 

in March and 

shorebirds, such as 

Wilson’s phalaropes, 

stop over in April and 

May. Early morning 

visits to cottonwood and willow 

groves yield views of chorusing 

songbirds, including numerous yellow 

warblers. Following 

spring rains, 

wildflowers paint the 

desert yellow, orange 

and red. Threatened 

desert tortoises 

emerge from their 

burrows to feed on 

these succulent plants. 

Other reptiles, 

including the Mojave rattlesnake, 

bask in the warm sun after their 

winter hibernation.

Spring

Mallard

Cinnamon teal

Mojave 

rattlesnake 
Seasons of the Refuge

Yellow-headed 

blackbird 

The first duck broods appear in 

May—redheads, mallards, and 

others. Herons, egrets and other 

wading birds stalk the 

shorelines and marshes 

for food. Endangered 

southwestern willow 

flycatchers nest in 

large willows or 

cottonwoods. Young 

rabbits and mule deer 

fawns venture out of 

cover. These animals 

are hunted by resident 

carnivores such as 

golden eagles, coyotes 

and mountain lions, which also need 

food for their young. Young coyotes 

can be observed learning how to 

catch mice and voles, and adult 

red-tailed hawks are frequently 

seen carrying food to young still in 

the nest.

Summer

Redhead

Coyote
Seasons of the Refuge

Fall Cottonwood and willow leaves turn 

brilliant yellow in autumn. Marsh 

plants begin to change 

color as well, creating a 

mosaic of yellows, tans, 

and reds. In a reversal of 

spring, large numbers of 

ducks, shorebirds and 

songbirds migrate south, 

stopping to rest and refuel. 

Lizards, snakes and 

tortoises become less 

active due to cooler 

temperatures. Mule deer 

begin breeding, and 

mature bucks with large 

antlers can be observed. Juvenile and 

adult bald eagles 

(above)

American avocet 

(right)

Mule deer buck 

Desert tortoise
Seasons of the Refuge

Canada geese 

Winter 

Northern 

shoveler 

Tundra swan

In winter, tundra swans, Canada 

geese and a variety of ducks feed 

in lakes and marshes. Shovelers, 

pintails, redheads, 

canvasbacks, 

mallards and teal can 

all be seen on Upper 

Pahranagat Lake. 

Bald eagles and 

osprey arrive to hunt 

for ducks and fish. 

Large numbers of 

raptors, particularly 

the northern harrier, 

can be seen near marsh and meadow 

habitats searching for food. 

Green-winged 

teal
Habitats of the Refuge

At Pahranagat NWR, refuge staff 

maintain and restore habitats to 

provide food, water and shelter for 

wildlife. Five major habitat types 

are managed according to the needs 

of wildlife.

Large thermal springs provide water 

for lakes and wetlands, a rare and 

precious habitat in southern Nevada. 

Water is stored in Upper Pahranagat 

Lake and released as needed to 

nurture habitats in the central and 

southern portions of the refuge. 

Refuge staff use a network of ditches 

and water control structures to 

create various depths of water. Upper 

Pahranagat Lake and the North 

Marsh Lake, which have the deepest 

water, attract diving ducks such as 

redheads and ruddy ducks. The 

shallower Headquarters Ponds, 

Middle Marsh and Lower 

Pahranagat Lake are preferred by 

dabbling mallards, pintails and teal 

as well as wading herons and egrets. 

Northern harriers, marsh wrens, 

yellow-headed blackbirds, muskrats, 

and even the occasional bald eagle or 

peregrine falcon, also benefit from 

marsh habitats.

Seasonal draining of marshes 

exposes mudflats, a prime feeding 

area for shorebirds. Prescribed 

burning adds nutrients to the soil and 

stimulates new growth of marsh 

plants.

Lakes and 

Wetlands
 

N

0 1 .5 Miles

To Alamo

Nort 4 miles h

Marsh

Upper

Lake

Overnight parking,

camping and campfires

permitted in this area

Refuge

Headquarters

Middle

Pond 

Lower

Lake
Legend

Refuge boundary

 

Refuge access road

Dikes

Parking area

Primitive camping area

Refuge headquarters

Refuge area seasonable

open to public hunting

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

State Highway Department

roadside rest area

To Las Vegas

80 miles

Hiko Caliente

Moapa

Las Vegas

Pahranagat

N.W.R.

Area

enlarged

Nevada
Cottonwood and willow trees line 

the refuge’s lake shores and springs. 

Riparian habitats (a word that refers 

to moisture-dependent vegetation 

that grows along watercourses) 

are among the most endangered 

habitats in the Southwest. Riparian 

habitat provides feeding and nesting 

areas for birds that migrate here 

from the tropics, such as the yellow 

warbler, Bullock’s oriole, and 

endangered Southwestern willow 

flycatcher. On the refuge, riparian 

areas are irrigated to sustain 

vegetation and promote sapling 

growth. Nonnative tamarisk (salt 

cedar) trees, which add toxic salts 

to soils and use large quantities of 

valuable ground water, are removed, 

as are Russian olive trees.

Moist meadows are home to many 

rodent species. These small 

mammals provide food for raptors 

and coyotes. Refuge staff irrigate 

meadows to provide green forage for 

sandhill cranes, waterfowl and 

wading birds. Meadows and other 

grasslands are sometimes burned or 

mowed to remove old plants and 

stimulate new growth.

Since the refuge straddles both the 

Great Basin and Mojave deserts, a 

diversity of upland plants grows here, 

including sagebrush, saltbush, 

creosote and yucca. They provide 

shelter and food for reptiles and 

small mammals, 

which are hunted 

by coyotes, raptors 

and roadrunners. 

Gambel’s quail, 

black-throated 

sparrows, and 

Brewer’s sparrows 

nest here. Mule 

deer forage in 

desert washes.

Habitats of the Refuge

Riparian Habitat

Meadows

Desert Uplands

Snowy egret

Roadrunner
Did You Know...

...that the 6-inch-long endangered 

southwestern willow flycatcher 

migrates more than 2,000 miles from 

summer breeding grounds at 

Pahranagat NWR to wintering areas 

in Central America? 

...a large portion 

of the Lower 

Colorado River 

population of 

greater sandhill 

cranes (the least 

abundant type of 

sandhill crane, and 

a declining 

population) uses 

Pahranagat NWR 

as one of only two known staging 

areas for their migration?

...that scientists learned about local 

climate changes by studying core 

samples from Lower Pahranagat 

Lake? The vegetation preserved in 

these samples, including 2,000-yearold pollen and seeds, revealed that 

the Pahranagat Valley once 

supported conifers such as pinon 

pine, indicating that wetter and 

cooler climate cycles occurred.

Sandhill cranes

Southwestern 

willow flycatcher 
History of the Refuge

Pahranagat NWR has significant 

cultural importance to the Paiute 

people and has historically 

been utilized by native 

people for thousands of 

years. Numerous sites, 

including rock art and rock 

structures, are preserved 

to maintain their cultural 

value. Rock paintings 

(pictographs) and peckings 

(petroglyphs) are numerous 

on the refuge and are 

protected by federal law. 

One cultural site, listed in 

the National Register of 

Historic Places, is thought 

to have been a place where 

people sought knowledge and power, 

conducted ceremonies, and 

communicated with spiritual beings. 

The Pahranagat Valley is also rich 

in pioneer history. The first settlers 

were interested in ranching and 

farming. The natural springs 

provided an abundance of water 

with which to raise crops and provide 

grazing. One historical building on 

the refuge, the Walden house, is said 

to be the original pioneer dwelling 

of this area. The structure is made 

of stone, originally constructed 

around 1864. Walden house
Regulations Protect Visitors and Wildlife

Refuge Access Three main public access roads are 

located on the east side of Upper 

Pahranagat Lake, Middle Marsh and 

Lower Pahranagat Lake. Another 

public access road is located west of 

the refuge headquarters which 

interconnects to the Desert National 

Wildlife Range. Visitors are asked to 

use existing parking facilities. 

All motorized vehicles are restricted 

to designated roads only, must be 

properly licensed and street legal as 

required by state law. ATVs (3 and 

4-wheelers, dirt bikes, etc.) are 

prohibited on the refuge. 

Non-flush toilets are provided at the 

Upper Pahranagat Lake campground 

area. Use the dumpsters provided or 

take your trash home. Littering is 

strictly prohibited.

A hunting/observation platform is 

located within the Middle Marsh area 

and a fishing/observation pier is 

located at the Upper Pahranagat 

Lake. Please contact the refuge for 

access limitations and suggestions to 

use the areas safely. 

Hunting and fishing are permitted 

on designated areas subject to all 

applicable state, federal and refuge 

regulations. Please contact the refuge 

for more information.

No swimming is allowed. Only nonmotorized boats or boats with electric 

motors are permitted on the refuge, 

and only on Upper Pahranagat Lake, 

Middle Marsh and Lower Lake. The 

use of boats, rubber rafts or other 

flotation devices is not permitted on the 

North Marsh at any time. Boat 

launching facilities on the refuge are 

unimproved and accommodate only 

small craft. Watercraft must be in 

compliance with all applicable state and 

federal rules.

Restrooms and 

Trash

Accessibility

Hunting/Fishing

Water Use
Regulations Protect Visitors and Wildlife

Hiking and 

Horseback Riding

Wildlife Viewing 

and Photography

Unimproved camping and picnic sites 

are available along the eastern 

shoreline of Upper Pahranagat Lake 

(see map). All camping is restricted 

to these areas. Camping is limited to 

14 consecutive days, within a 30-day 

period, beginning upon the day of 

arrival. Be considerate to other 

campers. Please keep noise to a 

minimum from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 

Restore your campsite to a clean and 

orderly condition when you leave.

Firewood cutting or collecting is 

prohibited. Please bring your own 

firewood or use a stove. It is unlawful 

to build campfires outside of existing 

fire rings or to develop new rings. 

Fires must be attended by adults at 

all times. 

Year round hiking and horseback 

riding are allowed only on designated 

roads and trails which offer access to 

wetland, riparian and desert shrub 

habitats (see map). In order to 

protect native plants, only certified 

weed-free feed may be brought onto 

the refuge. 

As an oasis of water and trees in the 

desert, the refuge offers excellent 

wildlife viewing, particularly of birds. 

Photographic opportunities abound: 

not only wildlife, but desert sunsets, 

scenic mountains and spring 

wildflowers. Wildlife lists are 

available at refuge headquarters.

Camping and 

Picnicking

Firewood
Regulations Protect Visitors and Wildlife

Wildlife Viewing 

and Photography

Firearms

Tips:

• Study wildlife books for the Mojave 

and Great Basin deserts to learn 

which animals to expect. Bring field 

guides to help identify various 

species and to learn which habitats 

they prefer. Binoculars or spotting 

scopes will help you observe wildlife 

without disturbing them. 

• Plan your visit according to the 

season and time of day. Mornings and 

early evenings are best for viewing 

most wildlife. Watch for wildlife 

where two habitat types meet. 

Animals are attracted to the many 

types of food and shelter in these 

“edge” habitats. Move quietly or 

remain motionless and maintain a 

respectful distance from wildlife.

Pets must be leashed and attended 

at all times except when used in 

association with a legal hunt in 

designated areas. Contact the 

refuge for more information.

Artifacts, including arrowheads, 

grinding stones and rock art, etc. 

are protected under Federal law. 

Disturbance of cultural resources 

of any kind is strictly prohibited. 

Collecting or attempting to collect 

plants, animals or other natural 

objects is prohibited.

Carrying, possessing or discharging 

firearms or other weapons is 

prohibited. This includes carrying, 

possessing or discharging fireworks 

and explosives. Please contact the 

refuge for special regulations 

regarding firearms during hunting 

seasons.

Pets

Artifacts

Animal and Plant 

Life

Beaver-tail 

cactus
Signs Protect Visitors and Resources

Millions of people visit National 

Wildlife Refuges every year. Signs 

help guide use while protecting the 

refuge’s natural resources. Please 

respect the following signs:

Plan your trip carefully. The desert is 

an unpredictable environment where 

conditions can be extreme! Don’t 

travel or hike alone. Leave your 

travel plans with a trusted friend. 

Cellular coverage is limited. Carry a 

first-aid kit. 

Protect yourself from the sun. Wear 

a hat, light-colored clothing and use 

sunscreen. Protect yourself from heat 

exhaustion by avoiding extreme 

midday heat. 

Water is not available on the 

Pahranagat NWR. Always bring and 

drink plenty of water–don’t ration it! 

Summer temperatures may reach 

over 100° F. A person requires at 

least one gallon of water per day 

under these conditions. 

Please maintain a respectful distance 

from wildlife. Be alert for rattlesnakes. 

Watch where you step and never put 

your hands or feet where you cannot 

see them, such as into a crevice or 

dense brush. 

Be Prepared

Carry Water

Watch Out For 

Wildlife

Safety Tips

NO

VEHICLES

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Regulations Protect Visitors and Wildlife

This blue goose, designed

by J.N. Ding Darling, has

become a symbol of the

National Wildlife Refuge

Volunteer 

Opportunities

Volunteers are valuable to the 

management of our Nation’s fish, 

wildlife and habitats. You can enjoy a 

productive and rewarding experience 

as a volunteer with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service. Contact the refuge 

for information on volunteer 

opportunities.
Refuge Manager, 

Pahranagat NWR 

P.O. Box 510

Alamo, NV 89001

775/725 3417

or

Project Leader, 

Desert NWR Complex 

4701 North Torrey Pines 

Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301

702/515 5450

For Refuge Information

1 800/344 WILD

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov

Cover photo: Gary Kramer all other 

photos USFWS unless otherwise 

noted.

http://desertcomplex.fws.gov/pahranagat

June 2012

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