Birding Around Las Vegas, Outside the Las Vegas Valley, Pahranagat Valley
 Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (view SE) |
Description Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, covers 5,380 acres along a ten-mile section of Pahranagat Valley. The refuge includes a riparian valley bottom with shallow lakes, brushy thickets, bulrush and cattail marshes, grassy meadows, and cottonwood trees, all of which are surrounded by Mojave Desert scrub. These wetlands in the desert support a variety of wildlife, and the refuge is an important stopping point for waterfowl, migratory birds, and dragonflies. Start a visit to Pahranagat NWR is by spending a few minutes at the Visitor Center. Learn about the area from outdoor and indoor exhibits that cover topics such as the local flora, fauna, and human history. There is also a short film about the Refuge and a small gift shop. Visitors can ask about how to spend their time from knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Link to map. |
 Friendly volunteer inside Pahranagat NWR Visitor Center (view W) |
The Visitor Center hours change with the season and are subject to change with staff and volunteer availability:
The Visitor Center has best restrooms along Highway 93, and sometimes they are open when the visitor center is closed. Trails start from the Visitor Center. The short (0.4 miles) Pahranagat Loop Trail runs out behind the visitor center, and the Davenport Trail runs about 4 miles out to the North Lake dam and back. |
 Entrance road forks three way: stay left to Visitor Center (view SW) |
 Visitor Center parking area (view E) |
 Reserved parking (view E) |
 General parking (view N) |
 Visitor Center building (view SE from general parking area) |
 Visitor Center entrance (view E from parking lot) |
 Visitor Center sign (view SE) |
 Pahranagat Man petroglyph on building exterior (view SE) |
 Information signs along entrance walkway (view E) |
 Information sign on left side of entrance walkway (view E) |
 Information sign on right side of entrance walkway (view E) |
 One of the cleanest bathrooms along Highway 93 (view SE) |
 Approaching the first information kiosk (view E) |
 Visitor reading brochure at first information kiosk (view NE) |
 Entrance walkway loops around behind the building (view S) |
 Approaching the second information kiosk (view S) |
 Second information kiosk (view SE) |
 Visitor Center public entrance (view W) |
 Outdoor amphitheater on north side of the visitor center (view E) |
 Approaching Visitor Center from large-vehicle parking area (view E) |
Visitor Center Interior
Friendly volunteer inside Pahranagat NWR Visitor Center |
 Interior displays |
 Interior displays |
 Interior displays |
 Indoor exhibit at the Pahranagat NWR Visitor Center |
 More to come ... |
Trails starting from the Visitor Center
 Pahranagat Loop Trail runs out behind the visitor center (view E) |
 Davenport Trail runs out from the front of the visitor center (view W) |
 Davenport Trailhead sign (view W) |
 Map on Davenport Trailhead sign (view W) |
Table 1. GPS Coordinates for Highway Locations (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download Highway GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.
| Site | Location | UTM Easting | UTM Northing | Latitude (N) | Longitude (W) | Elevation (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0491 | Pahranagat NWR HQ | 666693 | 4126123 | 37.26860 | 115.12005 | 3,304 |
Happy birding! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240322
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