Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge

About Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge

Situated in central-western Arizona along the lower Colorado River, the Bill Williams River extends a short 40 miles before emptying into the Colorado River at Lake Havasu. A portion of the river and its unique habitat are protected within the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge, offering a glimpse into what this landscape looked like hundreds of years ago. Earliest written records of the area come from Spanish explorers who traveled through here as early as 1598. Along with the western explorers that followed, they took note of the ecologically rich landscape, including documentation of miles-thick stands of cottonwood and willow trees along the river’s banks, as well as the abundance of mesquite above the river. Today, the refuge holds one of the last stands of naturally regenerated cottonwood-willow forest along the lower Colorado River. As a designated Globally Important Bird Area, the refuge is one of the last ecologically functioning river habitats in the southwest United States. Though small, the refuge has retained nearly all of the original terrestrial wildlife species found here prior to settlement by Europeans, including at least six federally listed threatened or endangered species. In 1993 it was decided that 6,100 acres of the Havasu Lake National Wildlife Refuge would be managed as a separate refuge due to its uniqueness and diversity of habitat. It became the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. It is one of more than 560 national wildlife refuges, a national network of lands and waters set aside and managed for the benefit of wildlife and you.

How to Get There

From Lake Havasu City, Arizona, follow Arizona Highway 95 south approximately 17 miles. The entry road to the visitor center and associated trails and fishing docks is on the right-hand side of the road (34.291554, -114.104776) at mile marker 161. From Parker, Arizona follow Arizona Highway 95 north approximately 16 miles. Refuge Headquarters/Visitor Center will be on the left-hand side of the road. If using google maps to find the refuge search for "Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center" as your keyword. Other search phrases lead to a remote dirt road on the refuge with no facilities.

Plan Your Visit to Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge

Heading to Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)