The 3,709-acre refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The preserve is cooperatively managed by The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of
Maybe — confirm before you go.
This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
- Fee type Fee unknown — The fee structure here is unconfirmed.
- Source Find on Recreation.gov ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Check
- Official pagewww.recreation.gov ↗
- Contact 760-348-5278
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
Depends Does the America the Beautiful pass work here?
Maybe — This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go. Check with the managing agency before you go.
Yes Can you fish at Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge?
Yes — fishing is one of the listed activities here. You’ll need a valid state fishing license.
Yes Are there hiking trails?
Yes — trails here include Calle Desierto, Amite Lane, Shadow Mountain Lane, and more. Check length and difficulty before you go.
Yes Can you watch wildlife or birds here?
Yes — Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a spot for wildlife and bird watching. Keep your distance and never feed animals.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Often restricted to protect wildlife — many refuges limit or prohibit pets. Check this refuge before you go.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Wildlife Refuge land.
Nearby sites
Palms to Pines Scenic Byway
CheckThis Bureau of Land Management site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
Decumanus at en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons Bureau of Reclamation Lake Cahuilla
CheckReclamation honors the pass at only a handful of sites — confirm before you rely on it here.
