Established 1990 | Area 72.04 km² | |
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Governing body US Fish & Wildlife Service Management United States Fish and Wildlife Service | ||
Havasu Wilderness is a 17,801-acre (72 km2) wilderness area located within the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge near Lake Havasu in the U.S. states of Arizona and California. 14,606 acres (59 km2) are located in Arizona and 3,195 acres (13 km2) are located in California.
Contents
The western boundary of the Wilderness is formed by the Colorado River. The area includes volcanic spires, a large sand dune with vegetation varying from riparian wetlands to Mojave Desert uplands. The habitats here consist of open water, emergent vegetation, subaquatics, dry mountains, desert uplands and washes.
Vegetation
Vegetation in Havasu Wilderness is dominated by creosote bush, ocotillo, blue-green paloverde, and pockets of saguaro. A variety of trees grow in washes with willows and salt cedar found at the edges of the river.
Wildlife
Havasu Wilderness is home to a variety of wildlife, including species of quail, geese, duck, grebe, crane, rail (including the endangered Yuma rail), heron, egret, falcon, eagle, desert bighorn sheep, coyote, porcupine, fox, and bobcat. Gila monster and the endangered desert tortoise can also be found in the wilderness.
Recreation
Fires, mechanized vehicles, some types of boats, and camping are not permitted in Havasu Wilderness. The most common activities are hiking and wildlife watching.