During the past 150 years, the lower Colorado River between Nevada and Mexico has been almost entirely altered by man. Yet through conservation and restoration efforts, small pockets of natural habitat exist for nature lovers to appreciate.
The Bill Williams River watershed is one of them, protecting one of the lower Colorado’s largest and most pristine riparian ecosystems.
“The purpose of Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge is to serve as a resting place and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Every national wildlife refuge was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill other purposes. Refuges are special places where wildlife comes first. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was established.”
-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bill Williams is of special interest to birders. Numerous migrating bird species can be seen here depending on the time year, as well as interesting land-based locals like javelinas and desert bighorn sheep. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains an extensive list of animal species that can be found at the refuge.
Besides wildlife viewing, visitors can kayak into the rivermouth marsh, hike on maintained nature trails, fish from designated fishing piers, drive unpaved desert scenic roads, or star gaze at night, among other recreational activities.
The visitor center, fishing piers, picnic area, and boat launch ramp are located at 60911 US-95. Use of the fishing piers is allowed 24 hours a day, but hiking trails and unpaved roads like Planet Ranch Road are only open during daylight hours. The visitor center itself is closed on weekends and federal holidays, but is staffed on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
While there’s no camping or lodging facilities in the park itself, Buckskin Mountain State Park and River Island State Park are two excellent riverside campgrounds located just a few miles to the south. Lake Havasu City and its bountiful services is 15 miles to the north on Highway 95.
