Pixley National Wildlife Refuge

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in California's San Joaquin Valley comprising grasslands, seasonal water pools, and flat terrain. The land contains multiple habitat types that support diverse wildlife populations throughout the year.

This refuge was established in 1959 to protect wetlands that were once part of the largest lake west of the Great Lakes. The creation helped save remnants of a landscape that had vanished due to early water management and agricultural development.

The refuge serves as a vital stopping point for migratory birds traveling along major flight routes across North America. Visitors can observe how the land supports breeding populations and provides essential shelter for species passing through the region.

You will need to arrange access in advance through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rather than arriving for an impromptu visit. Plan your trip for late winter through spring when wildlife viewing is most rewarding and populations are most active.

The refuge protects animals found nowhere else in the wild, including the San Joaquin kit fox and the Tipton kangaroo rat. These endangered creatures survive here in one of their last strongholds, making the visit scientifically valuable beyond typical birdwatching.