Summary
The refuge covers 4,000 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife species including black bears, mountain lions, and several bird species such as the elegant trogon.
One of the main reasons to visit Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge is to see the diverse wildlife that inhabits the area. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails and bird watching opportunities throughout the refuge. The refuge also offers educational programs and guided tours to learn more about the area's wildlife and conservation efforts.
One of the most notable features of Leslie Canyon is the 100-foot waterfall located within the refuge. The waterfall is a popular spot for photographers and is accessible via a moderately difficult hiking trail.
Interesting facts about Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge include its history as a former ranch and mining area. The refuge has been replanted with native vegetation and now serves as an important habitat for many threatened and endangered species.
The best time to visit Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and wildlife is most active. Summer months can be hot and dry, while winter months can be cold and snowy.
Overall, Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge is a unique and important conservation area to visit in Arizona, offering a chance to see rare wildlife and learn about conservation efforts in the area.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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