Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1964 as mitigation for the straightening, channelization, and armoring of the banks of the Colorado River by the Bureau of Reclamation to prevent flooding. The 18,444-acre refuge was designated to protect and recreate the marshes, backwaters, and meanders that historically provided wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife that natural flooding would have formed.
Migratory birds, wintering waterfowl, and endangered and threatened species can be found at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains several miles of historic river channels and backwaters that provide key habitats in a changed environment. Because of the river’s life-sustaining water, wildlife thrives in this environment where temperatures reach 120 degrees in the summer and the average rainfall is two inches per year.
Site Information
Region: West Coast
County: La Paz
Directions: Address: 66600 Cibola Lake Road, Route 2, Cibola, AZ
Latitude: 33.3630229
Longitude: -114.6690564
Operational Hours: Other
Other Operational Hours: Daily (November 1 - March 14) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Admission or Fees: None
Best time to visit: Spring and Fall during migration
Habitats: Desert, Grassland, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Restrooms are available at the refuge headquarters, at the front of the building next to the front entrance.
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Charismatic: American Kestrel, Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Loggerhead Shrike, Ruby-crowned Kinglet , Verdin, Western Kingbird, White-winged Dove
Contact Information
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
US Fish & Wildlife Service
66600 Cibola Lake Road
Cibola, AZ 85328
Phone: 928-857-3253
Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cibola
Email: chris_lohrengel@fws.gov
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1315369
