Refuge Quick
Facts
Susanna Henry (Acting Refuge Manager);
Mitch Ellis (Complex Manager)
356 W. 1st Street,
Yuma, Arizona 85364
Phone:
928/783-7861
Fax: 928/783-8611
Contact Us
Getting
There: From I-8 in California, take the Winterhaven Drive
and Fourth Avenue Exit south into Yuma, Arizona. The refuge office is located at
the first intersection. To get to the refuge itself, from Yuma, take Highway 95
north towards Quartzite, Arizona, to refuge entrance signs.
When was it established?
1939
How big is it? 665,400 acres
Map of the
Refuge
[Welcome]
[Habitat]
[Wildlife]
[Species
Lists] [Things
to do at the Refuge]
[Tips for Watching
Wildlife] [Hunting]
[Camping]
[Help
Us Protect the Refuge]
[Volunteer
Opportunities] [Arizona
Links]
See Arizona Links for more information about natural areas and tourism in Arizona.
Last Updated April 28, 2008
Volunteers are needed to help with the following:
Maintenance--mowing lawns, posting boundaries and signs, checking traffic counter/brochure boxes, cleaning shop areas, welding/carpentry work, painting
Public Outreach--develop and present educational programs, participate in fairs/shows, create slide/photo library.
Office Assistance--librarian skills, filing, computer database entry, organizational skills to help in office.
Biological Work--bird surveys (if qualified), may assist with vegetation, deer, sheep, bat, or tortoise work, depending on the time of year. Please contact the refuge at 928/783-7861 or fw2_rw_kofa@fws.gov for more information.
Camping is permitted. Visitors may select their own campsites; however, applicable state law prohibits camping within 1/4 mile of water holes. Vehicles must remain within 100 feet of designated roads. Backpackers may camp anywhere beyond the 100 feet limit, keeping in mind the location of waterholes. All camping is limited to 14 days during any 12-month period.
Notable wildlife species found in the area include the white-winged dove, desert tortoise, and desert kit fox. The Refuge has one of the largest desert bighorn sheep populations in the southwestern United States. In recent years, this herd has provided animals for transplanting throughout Arizona and neighboring states.
Birds that are likely to be seen at Kofa include American kestrel, white-winged dove, northern flicker, Say's phoebe, cactus wren, phainopepla, and orange-crowned warbler.
The Kofa Mountain barberry (a rare plant found only in southwest Arizona) occurs on the refuge.
Hiking, sightseeing, photography, and nature observation are permitted in all areas of the refuge except on patented mining claims and other private inholdings. A half-mile foot trail is available to see Palm Canyon.
Past mining activity has left numerous vertical shafts, drift tunnels, and open pits throughout the refuge. These are extremely dangerous due to possible caving or collapsing. No attempt should be made to enter or explore them at close range.
See Tips for Watching
Wildlife for suggestions
to make your visit more
enjoyable.
Palm Canyon, in the west end of the Kofa Mountains, is well known for its native palms. These palm trees are probably remnants from when this area was wetter and cooler than it is now. Though numbering less than 100, this handful of trees is among the only native palms in Arizona.
In the early part of this century, a number of mines were established in the mountainous areas of the refuge. One of the most notable was the King of Arizona mine. It gave the Kofa Mountains their name-- "Kofa" being contracted from King of Arizona.
Public Invited to Participate in Preparation of
Mountain Lion Management Plan for Kofa Refuge
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has initiated a public scoping process as part of their efforts to develop a mountain lion management plan on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the scoping period gives all interested parties an opportunity to provide input by identifying concerns, potential impacts, and possible alternatives for mountain lion management. The scoping period runs from April 24 through May 24.
Comments must be submitted in writing. Electronic comments can be sent to KofaLionComments@fws.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 356 West 1st Street, Yuma, AZ 85364.
For more information read the press release or visit the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge website at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Kofa
National Wildlife
Refuge
Mountain Lion Scoping
Environmental Assessment
Letter
Southern California Edison ROW Permit (E4)
Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, Regional Director, Statement on ROW Permit (E4)
2007 Survey Results Released for Bighorn Sheep on the
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
Investigative Report and Recommendations for the Kofa Bighorn Sheep Herd