A walk into the marsh: Havasu refuge’s guided tour season begins in November

A two-hour walk through restored marsh and desert trees is on the November calendar at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, offering Mohave Valley-area residents a closer look at the habitat beside the Colorado River.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s published tour schedule calls for guided walks on the second Tuesday of each month from November through April, from 9 to 11 a.m. That schedule places November’s walk on Nov. 10. The refuge’s website says reservations are required and directs visitors to call 928-259-9632. Confirm the date and availability when reserving.

The route starts at the North Dike parking lot and follows the dike road through restored marsh, cottonwood-and-willow habitat and mesquite. Guides explain the plants and animals that use the refuge and the work involved in conserving their habitat.

Despite the refuge’s Havasu name, this outing begins at its northern end near Mohave Valley. The agency’s directions follow Courtwright Road for 5.1 miles from Highway 95, then turn at the Pintail Slough/North Dike sign and continue another 0.7 miles to the parking lot.

There is a larger story behind that morning walk. The refuge was established in 1941 to provide habitat for migratory birds. Today, its wildlife-watching guide describes Topock Marsh as a 4,000-acre wetland and recommends binoculars or a spotting scope and a camera for visitors to North Dike.

The guide lists white-faced ibis, ospreys and red-winged blackbirds among the wildlife associated with that access point. Sightings vary; the tour is a chance to explore the habitat, not a promise of a particular bird.

Visitors exploring independently should also check the refuge’s access guidance. A designated portion of Topock Marsh is closed to all entry from Oct. 1 through the end of the state waterfowl season, including the youth hunt. Signs and buoys mark the closed area. That seasonal restriction does not mean the entire marsh is closed.