Enjoying the Refuge

Desert National Wildlife Range invites you to enjoy its hiking, wildlife observation, and sport hunting opportunities. the following refuge regulations help protect natural resources and visitors as well. Please follow them.

Vehicular Travel

Vehicles are permitted only on designated roads shown on the map. roads are rough and unimproved, and may be impassable fore passenger cars. All vehicles must be street legal.

Camping and Backpacking

These activities are permitted year round. all camps, except backpack camps, must be located within 100 feet of designated roads. Camping within 1/4 mile or within sight of any waterhole or spring is prohibited. for your protection and our information, please sign the visitor register at Corn Creek field Station when you enter and leave the range.

Roadside camping is permitted along any of the trails that are posted open to vehicles. Camp elevation should be adjusted according to seasonal conditions. the most popular backpacking areas are Hidden Forest Canyon and Sawmill Canyon. both are approximately 5 miles long and terminate at springs located in the coniferous forest vegetative type. the opportunity to observe wildlife except for desert bighorn sheep, at these springs, is good.

Roadside campers and backpackers alike must bring their own water. Fresh water is not available at Sawmill Spring. Wiregrass Spring at Hidden Forest may contain bacterial contaminants and is not recommended as a source of drinking water.

Hiking and Horseback Riding Areas

The entire refuge, excluding the portion of the range used by Nellis Air Force Base, is open to horseback riding and hiking. the preferred backpacking areas, Hidden Forest and Sawmill Canyon, are popular horseback riding and hiking areas as are other deep canyons in the Sheep and Las Vegas Mountains.

Horseback riding is permitted year round. Water is scarce and critical to bighorns and other wildlife especially during the hot summer months. Except in emergency, please do not use wildlife water to water horses.

Picnicking

Picnicking is permitted along designated roads. There are two small picnic areas with tables and grills, but no water, at Corn Creek Field Station and Mormon Well Pass.

Pets

All pets on the refuge must be leashed.

Littering

There are no litter barrels on the range. Please carry out what you bring in.

Fires

Campfires are permitted but only dead wood may be used. No wood may be removed from the range.

Artifacts

Searching for or removing objects of antiquity, defacing rock art, and disturbing archaeological sites is prohibited. rock or mineral collecting is restricted to materials that are exposed and collectable without the use of tools, including metal detectors.

Animal and Plant Life

Collecting, possessing, disturbing, injuring, and removal, or transportation of any plant, animal, or parts thereof (alive or dead) is prohibited. Exceptions to the above are legally taken bighorn sheep and mule deer.

Firearms

Carrying, possessing, or discharging firearms or other explosives (including fireworks) on the range is prohibited. Exceptions t this regulation is legal firearms may be used for bighorn sheep and mule deer hunting during regular season provided they are transported unloaded.

Weapons Other Than Firearms

The possession or use of crossbows, bow and arrows, air guns, or other weapons is prohibited.

Hunting

Limited hunting for bighorn sheep and mule deer is permitted. Contact the refuge manager for additional hunting information. All other wildlife is protected.

Nellis Bombing Range

The western half of the range is used by Nellis Air Force Base as a bombing and gunnery range throughout the year. Public access is not allowed to this portion of the range without special permission from Nellis Air Force Base.

Hours of Use

The Corn Creek headquarters area, including the interpretive exhibits and walking trails, is open daily from sunrise to sunset. All other areas of the refuge are open 24 hours daily subject to the above regulations.