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Recreational
Opportunities
• Visitor Center
• Environmental Education
• Trails
• Hunting
• Accessibility
Visitor
Center
Your first stop on any visit to the Refuge should be at the Visitor Center,
located at the junction of Sinclair and Gentry Roads. The Center is surrounded
by native vegetation, agricultural fields, river and wetland habitats, and
the Salton Sea. Inside you can pick up brochures and other information packets,
as well as explore a bird diorama and shop in the bookstore. Proceeds from
the sale of books and other educational items benefit the Refuge’s educational
programs.
Outside, a self guided trail will take you out to the Sea and introduce you
to the habitats found in desert and wetland ecosystems. There is also an observation
tower and picnic area located near the main parking lot. The Visitor Center
is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. year round. From
October through March, the Visitor Center is also open on weekends from 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Visitor Center is closed on all national holidays. Please
call 760-348-5278 for further information.
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 Environmental
Education
One of the primary objectives of the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife
Refuge is to provide high quality environmental education to an interested
audience. Our dynamic Environmental Education program offers free half-day
or full-day educator-led field trips. Teachers, outdoor education leaders,
adult leaders, and students are actively involved in exploring the diverse
habitats of the Refuge. Students participate in a variety of hands-on activities
that are designed to teach ecological concepts that focus on the Refuge’s
resource management issues such as habitat preservation, endangered species,
and migratory birds. Integrating science, art, history, math, language arts,
and physical education, the activities are adaptable to students of all grade
levels.
Environmental education is usually conducted at the Refuge Headquarters. There
is a one-mile trail that weaves through upland vegetation, freshwater ponds
and agricultural fields, ending 150 feet above the surface of the Salton Sea.
During field trips, students learn why the Salton Sea is important to the
surrounding ecosystems and to the millions of migratory birds that travel
through the area each year. Over 400 species of birds have been reported at
the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, including a variety of
waterfowl and shorebirds. In addition, the Refuge provides a home for several
endangered species including the Yuma clapper rail and the California brown
pelican.
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Trails
The Refuge has two walking trails: the Rock Hill Trail and the Michael Hardenberger
Trail. The Rock Hill Trail is approximately 2 miles roundtrip, leading visitors
through several different habitats. It begins next to the picnic area at the
Visitor Center and ends on the top of Rock Hill, which is located on the edge
of the Salton Sea.
The Michael Hardenberger
Trail is located at Unit 1 off Vendel Road, which is at the south end of the
Salton Sea. The ½ mile trail encircles one of our freshwater ponds,
a favorite nesting spot for the endangered Yuma clapper rail.
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Hunting
The Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR offers several sites for waterfowl hunting during
waterfowl season in accordance with the State of California regulations. Hunting
is permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only. Only ducks, geese,
coots and moorhens  (gallinules)
may be hunted.
The daily quota of hunters shall be filled by those holding advance reservations,
which are issued by the California Department
of Fish and Game. Hunters with reservations must present them at the Wister
Check Station no later than 1 ½ hours before shooting time. Vacancies
occurring from no show reservation holders and from hunters leaving the area
shall be filled according to the order established in the previous night’s
drawing at the Wister Check Station. Furthermore, a permit must be obtained
at the Wister Check Station and must be in the hunter’s possession for
hunting on the Refuge. Hunters are permitted to enter only the assigned blind
site for which the permit is issued. A fee is required for all persons 16
years and older. All hunters are required to check out at the Wister Check
Station, report hunting results, and return their permits before leaving the
area. For further information about hunting regulations, click
here or call 760-359-0577 or 760-348-5278.
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Accessibility
It is the policy of Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge to accommodate
all individuals. We have two hunting blinds that are specifically constructed
and available to accommodate hunters who are physically challenged. If you
have any questions concerning the Refuge’s programs, or if you need
any accommodation to enable you to participate in the Refuge’s programs,
please contact the Visitor Center at 760-348-5278.
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