Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a nature reserve covering about 136 acres of wetlands, marshes, and desert land in northeastern Nevada. It protects a range of wildlife adapted to these specific habitats, including fish, insects, and birds that thrive in the region.

The refuge was established in 1979 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the highly endangered Moapa dace fish species in the Muddy River system. The refuge was created in response to dramatic population decline caused by water diversion and habitat loss in the region.

The refuge allows visitors to understand how desert wetlands support wildlife and what species depend on these habitats to survive. Educational displays on site help people grasp the relationship between water, plants, and animals in arid regions.

Access to the refuge is available during the cooler months, though specific visiting days and hours should be checked before you go. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since trails cross through wetlands and desert ground.

Three thermal springs within the refuge create specialized habitats for rare animal species found nowhere else, such as the Moapa pebblesnail and certain beetle species. These geothermal oases allow these endemic creatures to survive in an otherwise harsh environment.