 Places to go Wildlife Watching in the California Desert
Afton Canyon Natural Area (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife viewing is best during early morning and evening hours. Read More...
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (California State Parks)
You will find a variety of wildlife at Anza-Borrego. Read More...
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (BLM Public Land)
Desert bighorn sheep and mule deer file down the canyon's steep slopes to find water at the stream. Read More...
Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert; including . . . Read More...
Bighorn Mountain Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
A variety of animals may be found in the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness. Read More...
Bright Star Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The varied habitats of the Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley and Transverse Ranges ecoregions allow for a wide diversity of wildlife. Read More...
Bristol Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert . . . Read More...
Cadiz Dunes Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert... Read More...
Camp Cady Wildlife Area (California Department of Fish and Game)
A variety of wildlife species may be seen in the Camp Cady Wildlife Area. Read More...
Carrizo Gorge Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Here in the Carrizo Gorge the variety of wildlife consists of bighorn sheep, the San Diego coast horned lizard, Swainson's hawks, golden eagles, and many different species of birds. Read More...
Cartago Wildlife Area (California Department of Fish and Game)
218 acres of fresh water wetland and springs provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds including western snowy plovers, white-faced ibis and rails. Read More...
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The flora and fauna in the area are rich in species diversity due to its position between the Sonoran and Mohave Desert ecosystems and due to the infusion of river species and species principally found in eastern Arizona. Read More...
Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The plant and wildlife species are as uniquely diverse. Bighorn sheep, burro deer, raptors, snakes, coyotes and fox are just a few of the many creatures choosing the Chuckwalla Mountains as their home. Read More...
Cibola NWR (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
The refuge also provides artificial homes for wildlife such as the burrowing owl and kestrel. Both of these species readily accept man-made homes to roost and nest. You will see these as you drive around the auto tour loop. Read More...
Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The Bullion Mountains include desert bighorn sheep habitat, and desert tortoise can be found on the valley floor. Read More...
Clipper Mountain Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert... Read More...
Coachella Valley Preserve (BLM Public Land)
The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard depends on this unusual blowsand desert for survival, and "swims" through the sand to escape predators or summer heat of the desert surface. Four other unique wildlife species can also be found here: the Coachella roundtailed ground squirrel, the giant red velvet mite, the flat-tailed horned lizard and the giant palm-boring beetle. Read More...
Coyote Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The barefoot gecko is known to make its home among the mountain ridges. Read More...
Darwin Falls Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife species include nesting and foraging habitat for prairie falcon. Read More...
Dead Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert... Read More...
Death Valley National Park (National Park Service)
These zones and the adjacent desert support a variety of wildlife species, including 51 species of native mammals, 307 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, three species of amphibians, and five species and one subspecies of native fishes (Hansen 1972 and 1973; Landye 1973). Read More...
Desert Tortoise Natural Area (BLM Public Land)
Keep in mind that a large percentage of desert animals are nocturnal (active at night). You may see evidence of an animals' presence - such as footprints in the sand - rather than the animal itself. Read More...
Dos Palmas Preserve (BLM Public Land)
Other animals include the unique flat-tailed horned lizard and other reptiles. Desert pupfish may be seen in the ponds. Colorado Valley woodrats also find a home here. Read More...
Fish Creek Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The Fish Creek Wilderness is an area of sparse vegetation and abundant wildlife. Read More...
Grass Valley Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife values in the wilderness include... Read More...
Harper Dry Lake (BLM Public Land)
Besides birds, a variety of other wildlife may be found at Harper Dry Lake, including several lizard species, like the Desert Horned and Zebratail.
Read More...
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
From desert bighorn sheep to the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, birds and other animals at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge rely on the life-giving waters of the lower Colorado River. Read More...
Hollow Hills Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Desert tortoise and Mojave fringe-toed lizard have been seen here. Read More...
Horse Thief Camp (BLM Public Land)
Located just 4 miles north of the camp, Horse Thief Spring offers excellent bird and wildlife viewing. Read More...
Ibex Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Desert bighorn sheep have been seen here. Read More...
Imperial Wildlife Area (California Department of Fish and Game)
Quite a varitey of mammals and reptiles may be seen in this area. Read More...
Indian Pass Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The area's proximity to the Colorado River and the Arizona Desert contribute to the presence of wildlife species not commonly found in the California Desert. Read More...
Jacumba Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Jacumba Wilderness wildlife consists of mule deer, the peninsular bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and kangaroo rats. Read More...
Joshua Tree National Park (National Park Service)
Despite the impression that the desert is lifeless, many animals make their homes in deserts. Read More...
Kelso Dunes Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert... Read More...
Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mtns Wildlife Area (California Department of Fish and Game)
Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area is habitat of the mountain sheep, golden eagle and red-tailed hawk. Read More...
Kiavah Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
A unique mixing of several different species of plants and animals occurs within the transition zone between the Mojave Desert and Sierra Nevada Mountains. Read More...
Kingston Range Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The Kingston Mountains are one of the four localities in California in which confirmed sightings of the banded gila monster have been made. Read More...
Malpais Mesa Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife within the wilderness includes mule deer and foraging and nesting habitat for golden eagles. Read More...
Manly Peak Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Streams flowing from springs within the larger canyons create riparian areas of cottonwood and desert willow and provide valuable water sources for wildlife, most notably a herd of desert bighorn sheep. Read More...
Marble Mountains Wildlife Area (California Department of Fish and Game)
Three springs have been improved in this area to support animals. Read More...
McCain Valley (BLM Public Land)
The eastern edge of the In-Ko-Pahs marks the transition zone between the high chaparral shrublands of the coastal mountains and the low Colorado Desert country which occupies the Salton Trough to the east. This transition from chaparral to desert has produced a wide range of environments within the area. These habitats support many types of wildlife and plant species for you to observe. Read More...
Mecca Hills Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Bighorn sheep have been observed crossing into the Mecca Hills from the Orocopia Mountains where they water. Read More...
Mesquite Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert... Read More...
Mojave National Preserve (National Park Service)
Three of North America's four deserts; the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran meet in the Preserve to forma an immense transition zone. With sand dunes, volcanic, cinder cones, desert scrub land and mountain-top forests, Mojave is a land of great diversity. Read More...
Mojave River Hatchery (California Department of Fish and Game)
~ All fish are Rainbow Trout
Read More...
Newberry Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Depending on where and when you visit, you may see desert tortoise (a threatened species), golden eagles or prairie falcons. Read More...
Nopah Range Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Animal life is typical of the Mojave Desert, including "raptors" (prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks), desert tortoise (a threatened species), and migrating desert bighorn sheep. .
Read More...
North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area (BLM Public Land)
There are great opportunities to view plants and animals in their natural habitat. Read More...
North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert... Read More...
Old Woman Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert... Read More...
Orocopia Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is home to a variety of species. Read More...
Owens Peak Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
This area is a transition zone between the Great Basin, Mojave Desert and Sierra Nevada ecoregions. Read More...
Pahrump Valley Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Desert tortoise, golden eagles and desert bighorn sheep have been seen here. Read More...
Palen McCoy Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The desert wash woodland found here provides food and cover for ... Read More...
Palms to Pines Scenic Byway (BLM Public Land)
The Santa Rosa Mountains provides habitat for the threatened Peninsular bighorn sheep that can sometimes be spotted on rocky ledges, and for the desert slender salamander. Read More...
Palo Verde Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Palo Verde's wildlife consists of bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, wild horses, and burros. Read More...
Picacho Peak Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
A large cattail-lined pool at the base of the falls provides a desert oasis for a variety of wildlife species including desert bighorn sheep. Read More...
Picacho State Recreation Area (California State Parks)
The park is also home to desert bighorn sheep,... Read More...
Piper Mountain Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Desert bighorn sheep habitat can be found in three areas within this wilderness. Read More...
Piute Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert; including coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards. Read More...
Rainbow Basin Natural Area (BLM Public Land)
A variety of desert adapted wildlife are found here, including the desert tortoise. Read More...
Red Rock Canyon State Park (California State Parks)
Each tributary canyon is unique, with dramatic shapes and vivid colors. Read More...
Resting Spring Range Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The range provides habitat for several species of birds and animals. Read More...
Riverside Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
A small herd of burro deer live among the Riverside range. Read More...
Rodman Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Depending on where and when you visit, you may see desert tortoise (a threatened species), kit fox, golden eagle, prairie falcon, rattlesnake, tarantula, chuckwalla or desert iguana. Read More...
Saddleback Butte State Park (California State Parks
)
Saddleback Butte State Park is home to many once-abundant desert species ... Read More...
San Gorgonio Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
A variety of species lin in this wilderness. Read More...
San Jacinto Wildlife Area (California Department of Fish and Game)
The influence of both the desert and coastal environs makes for a diverse and rich species environment at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Read More...
Sand Canyon (BLM Public Land)
The perennial stream that flows through Sand Canyon creates a sanctuary from the searing heat of the desert in one of the longest stretches of riparian woodland in the Eastern Sierra. Read More...
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument (BLM Public Land)
Within the 272,000 acres of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument a wide variety of wildlife can be found. Read More...
Santa Rosa Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Many of these areas provide important lambing habitat for bighorn sheep. Read More...
Santa Rosa Wildlife Area (California Department of Fish and Game)
This area is habitat for the largest herd of protected penninsular bighorn sheep in the U.S. Read More...
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife residents include the San Diego horned lizard, spotted bat and willow flycatcher. Read More...
Sheephole Valley Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert . . . Read More...
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
Habitat diversity on Refuge lands provides for the needs of resident wildlife species as well as numerous seasonal residents and migrants of the Pacific Flyway. Over 400 bird species have been recorded at the Refuge and at least 93 species have nested on the Refuge. In addition, 41 species of mammals, 18 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians and 15 species of fish have been identified in the area. Read More...
South Nopah Range Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Desert bighorn sheep make their home in the northern portion of the mountain range year-round. Read More...
Stateline Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert . . . Read More...
Stepladder Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
The bajadas and larger washes within the Stepladder Mountains Wilderness provide good habitat for the desert tortoise. Read More...
Surprise Canyon Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
You may see desert bighorn sheep or a Panamint alligator lizard while on your visit to this area. Read More...
Sylvania Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Desert bighorn sheep roam this area, which is also home to deer and chuckar. Read More...
Trilobite Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert. . . Read More...
Turtle Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife species include bighorn sheep . . . Read More...
Whipple Mountains Wilderness (BLM Public Land)
Wildlife species include bighorn sheep, mule deer, wild burros, . . . Read More...
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