Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge spreads across desert terrain featuring rhyolite mountains, small canyons, and Sonoran Desert plants across elevations up to about 4,900 feet (1,500 meters). The landscape shows open, rocky ground with sparse vegetation adapted to extreme heat and drought conditions.

The refuge received protected status through Executive Order 8039 in January 1939 to safeguard the desert bighorn sheep population in the region. This action was one of the early efforts to protect desert habitats and endangered wildlife in the United States.

The California fan palms in Palm Canyon represent native desert plants that have adapted to survive in one of the hottest and driest parts of the Southwest. Visitors walking through the canyon see a green oasis that locals and travelers have valued for centuries.

Visitors need four-wheel-drive vehicles to navigate unpaved roads and should carry plenty of water, especially when exploring between October and April. Proper preparation and emergency supplies are important since the area is remote with no nearby services.

The area contains former military testing grounds where visitors should report any discovered military equipment to staff with precise GPS coordinates. This hidden history adds an unexpected layer to what appears to be a simple nature preserve.

Location: La Paz County

Operator: US Fish & Wildlife Service

GPS coordinates: 33.24688,-113.99547

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:46