The Arizona Wildlife Refuge Worth Driving Across The State To Explore
By Melissa Mahoney|Published August 23, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream.
When did you last spend time at a state park or wildlife refuge in Arizona? If you enjoy spending time outdoors, taking in the scenery, and breathing in some fresh air, there’s one wildlife refuge in Yuma that you probably haven’t been to yet but we think you’d enjoy. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is a vast park best for those who need an escape into nature.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Yuma, Arizona is home to 547,719 acres of vast desert landscape. It was designated as a national wildlife refuge in 1990 to preserve natural resources and habitats and to protect migratory birds as well as several endangered species.
This extraordinary wildlife refuge is worth driving across the state to visit, especially for all of the recreation you can enjoy here. There's hiking, biking, hunting, camping, horseback riding, picnicking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and so much more!
One of the most notable features of Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is a fascinating rock formation known as Skull Rock. Found in the park's Queens Canyon. You'll have to take an off-road vehicle to get here but it's worth it if you can make it work!
If you want to find a place for dispersed camping, take the 6.3-mile Horse Tanks Trail. This trail has a moderate rating and you'll see several small bodies of water along the way.
Another point of interest here is what remains of the settlement around Big Eye Mine. Feel free to explore the area round Big Eye Mine Cabin and take lots of pics!
Have you driven to Yuma to spend time at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge yet? What’s your favorite park in Arizona? Let us know! To learn more about Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, head to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.
If you want to go hiking at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, check out trails on AllTrails. And download AllTrails+ for hiking trails around Arizona.
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