Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

The Colorado River and associated backwater lakes and wetlands of Imperial National Wildlife Refuge are a green oasis, contrasting with the surrounding desert mountains. Consisting of over 26,000 acres, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge protects wildlife habitat along 30 miles of the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California, including the last unchannelized section before the river enters Mexico. Imperial National Wildlife Refuge also contains more than 15,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Wilderness is protected to ensure that nature, not people is the primary influence on this quiet, scenic place.