About Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
Visitors to the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge may be surprised to see that it is home to small, seasonal marsh wetlands. What they may not know is that it has some of the last, significant acres of Southern San Joaquin Valley grassland habitat. This habitat type provides nesting, foraging, and cover for a variety of species including the threatened Tipton kangaroo rat, the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and the endangered San Joaquin kit fox. During the winter months, it is the best place in the Southern San Joaquin Valley to view sandhill cranes.
How to Get There
From State Highway 99, at the community of Earlimart, California, take the Avenue 56 exit (Sierra Ave.) west 5.7 miles. Just before Road 88 is a directional sign directing you to the refuge, turn north after the sign on Road 88. Take this road north for approximately 1 mile until you cross a small ditch (Deer Creek). Immediately after the ditch and to the west is a gravel parking area. The trailhead is found here. Trail guides are available in the box near the information sign. From Highway 43, turn east onto Sierra Avenue (Avenue 56). Continue east along Sierra Avenue (Avenue 56) to Road 88, where you will find a directional sign guiding you to the refuge. Turn north on Road 88 and proceed one mile until you cross a small ditch (Deer Creek). After the ditch, you will find the parking lot on the west side of the road and the trailhead.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Pixley 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Pixley National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Pixley National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/3933) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Pixley National Wildlife Refuge?
From State Highway 99, at the community of Earlimart, California, take the Avenue 56 exit (Sierra Ave.) west 5.7 miles. Just before Road 88 is a directional sign directing you to the refuge, turn north after the sign on Road 88. Take this road north for approximately 1 mile until you cross a small ditch (Deer Creek). Immediately after the ditch and to the west is a gravel parking area. The trailhe…
How do I contact Pixley National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 661-725-2767 or email: Dave_Hardt@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
