Summary
It is a unique and important ecosystem that contains more than 30 springs and spring-fed streams, which provide vital water sources for a variety of plants and animals.
Visitors to the refuge can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. The refuge is home to numerous endemic species, including the Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish, which is found nowhere else in the world. Other species found at the refuge include the Ash Meadows sunflower, the Amargosa toad, and the southwestern willow flycatcher.
One of the main points of interest at the refuge is the Crystal Spring boardwalk, which provides visitors with a close-up view of the crystal-clear waters of the spring and the vegetation that surrounds it. The refuge also contains several other hiking trails and viewing areas, including the Point of Rocks and Kings Pool trails.
Interesting facts about the refuge include that it was established in 1984 to protect the unique ecosystem and its endangered species. The refuge covers over 23,000 acres and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The best time of year to visit the refuge is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and wildlife is most active. It is important to note that the refuge is located in a desert environment, so visitors should be prepared for hot temperatures during the summer months.
Weather Forecast
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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