Facility Activities

If you have 15-minutes...

  • Railroad Cabin Pahranagat NWR
    Image Details

    Stop in to our Visitor Center and learn all about the Refuge! You can watch a short film about the Refuge, enjoy several interactive exhibits, and learn about the local flora and fauna from refuge staff and volunteers. 

  • Take a short walk on the Cabin Trail or the Pahranagat Loop Trail. 

  • Observe wildlife at Upper Pahranagat Lake any day of the year or at Middle Marsh and Lower Lake throughout the year and on non-hunt days during hunt season. Wildlife may be visible throughout the day, but the best times to see wildlife are early morning and late evening.  

If you have one hour...

  • Stop in to our Visitor Center and learn all about the refuge! You can watch a short film about the Refuge, enjoy several interactive exhibits, and learn about the local flora and fauna from refuge staff and volunteers. 

  • Take a short walk on the Cabin Trail or the Pahranagat Loop Trail. 

  • Visit Upper Pahranagat Lake and search for some wildlife or go fishing.  

    Blue Heron at Upper Lake Pahranagat NWR
    Image Details

  • Visit Upper Pahranagat Lake via the Waterway Trail.  

  • Hike the Upper Pahranagat Lake Trail. 

  • Hike the Davenport Trail to Upper Pahranagat Lake and experience the many different habitats here at Pahranagat. 

  • Observe wildlife at Upper Pahranagat Lake any day of the year or at Middle Marsh and Lower Lake throughout the year and on non-hunt days during hunt season. Wildlife may be visible throughout the day, but the best times to see wildlife are early morning and late evening.  

  • Have a picnic at the Upper Pahranagat Lake day use and picnic area. 

  

If you have half a day or more...

  • Stop in to our Visitor Center and learn all about the Refuge! You can watch a short film about the Refuge, enjoy several interactive exhibits, and learn about the local flora and fauna from refuge staff and volunteers. 

  • Go on a Guided Ranger Hike. 

  • Take a short walk on the Cabin Trail or the Pahranagat Loop Trail.

  • Visit Upper Pahranagat Lake via the Waterway Trail. 

  • Hike the Upper Pahranagat Lake Trail. 

  • Hike the Davenport Trail to Upper Pahranagat Lake and experience the many different habitats here at Pahranagat. See the Trails page for more information. 

  • Hike along any of access roads and connect to the trails to explore parts of or the entire Refuge. 

  • Observe wildlife at Upper Pahranagat Lake any day of the year or at Middle Marsh and Lower Lake throughout the year and on non-hunt days during hunt season. Wildlife may be visible throughout the day, but the best times to see wildlife are early morning and late evening.  

    Sunset on Lake Pahranagat NWR
    Image Details

  • Bike along any of the bike-friendly trails and access roads. 

  • Have a picnic at the Upper Pahranagat Lake day use and picnic area. 

  • Use a non-motorized boat or boat with electric motors on Upper Lake from February 1 – September 30. 

  • Fish at one of the designated areas throughout the Refuge. 

  • During hunting season hunt in the designated hunt-area on designated hunt days at the Refuge. 

  • Spend the night under the stars by camping along Upper Pahranagat Lake.

Ranger-led programs

Refuge naturalists and volunteers offer a wide variety of free guided programs designed to showcase the amazing wildlife of the refuge. Be it birding or a night hike, you will be able to discover the bounty and rarity of the refuge's habitat and wildlife. Visit our Facebook Page for a schedule...

Hiking

The three mile Upper Lake Trail encircles the lake and provides an excellent opportunity to see waterfowl throughout the year. Running between the Upper Lake Trail and the refuge’s visitor center, the Davenport Trail climbs into drier desert habitat of the refuge and offers several...

Biking

If you don’t want to explore the Refuge on foot, biking is a perfect way to experience every ounce of beauty Pahranagat has to offer. Biking is permitted throughout the Refuge on designated trails and roads but make sure you check the trail map below for more information about where you can take...

Wildlife watching

The abundance of wetlands on the refuge supports a large and diverse population of wildlife. As one of the most popular birding locations in southern Nevada, visitors can expect to see several species of waterfowl and songbirds throughout the year.  Hikers exploring during the early morning...

Boating - non-motorized

Non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors are permitted on Upper Pahranagat Lake from February 1 through September 30. Boats are permitted on Middle Marsh and Lower Lake for waterfowl hunting purposes only. Due to fragile habitats, the use of boats, rubber rafts, or other flotation...

Camping

Camping is allowed in designated areas only, and consist of fifteen primitive lakeside campsites are available along Upper Pahranagat Lake. Sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. They are free of charge, though a donation box is provided at the...

Picnicking

There is a picnic area and pavilion available for public use next to Upper Pahranagat Lake at the entrance to the campground. 

Fishing

Fishing is permitted year-round in designated areas of the refuge, with the Upper Lake and North Marsh offering the best fishing opportunities. The most common fishes found in the refuge waters are carp, largemouth bass, green sunfish, and catfish. 

Fishing is subject to all...

Hunting

Hunting is a popular activity here at the Refuge. The hunting of geese, ducks, coots, moorhens, quail, snipe, and rabbits is permitted on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during the official hunting season. Dove hunting is permitted daily during the month of September. Additionally, the hunting...