Havasu National Wildlife Refuge – Pintail Slough
This is an excellent area to view many species of local and migrating birds that utilize the wetland habitat. Pintail Slough is an extensively managed area at the northern end of Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. It consists of wetlands, agricultural fields and several riparian areas with cottonwoods and mesquite trees. Although there is no access by vehicle, no facilities or amenities, guests can walk over eight miles of quiet roads surrounding the moist soil units and the fields. The view from North Dike offers glimpses of a wide variety of active wildlife, including foraging white-faced Ibis, ospreys hunting overhead, swooping cliff swallows, swimming beaver and resting rattlesnakes. Because of its importance to birds, the refuge is considered an Important Bird Area in the state of Arizona.
Site Information
Region: West Coast
County: La Paz
Directions: From Interstate 40, exit on J Street and go southwest (uphill) 0.6 miles. Turn right at the refuge entrance sign and follow the signs to the administrative office. On holidays, after hours, and on weekends, a self-serve kiosk with refuge brochures and leaflets can be accessed by visitors in front of the administrative office. Visitors to North Dike can park in the lot and walk down the access road along the northern end of Topock Marsh.
Latitude: 34.836002
Longitude: -114.518754
Operational Hours: Open all year, dawn til dusk
Admission or Fees: None
Best time to visit: May - September
Habitats: Agriculture or Cropland, Marsh or Wetland
Know Before You Go
There are no facilities or amenities. Binoculars or a spotting scope are recommended equipment.
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: Abert’s Towhee, Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
Charismatic: Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Lesser Goldfinch, Phainopepla, Ruby-crowned Kinglet , Verdin, White-winged Dove
Contact Information
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
US Fish & Wildlife Service
317 Mesquite Avenue
Needles, CA 92363
Phone: 760-326-3853
Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/havasu
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L826480
