Painted Desert Trail, Arizona

The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge hosts this Sonoran Desert nature trails.

Photos by Sue McDonald, Visitor Services Manager

The Painted Desert Trail in the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge was developed by the YCC (Youth Conservation Corps). Construction began in 1980 and the trail officially opened on November 4, 1983. The trail is 1.3 miles with trail markers interpreting the geologic and natural history of the area. It traverses two washes and climbs over a mesa with a picturesque view of the Lower Colorado River Valley and Sonoran Desert.

	Hiking through the volcanic ash flows

This trail was named for the multi-colored mounds of rock from ancient volcanos that erupted 20-30 million years ago. Colors are determined by the minerals present in each mound. For example, iron creates a rusty red color, while copper shows as green.

Home to unique desert plants and animals, the trail is a naturalist's paradise. Visitors enjoy the opportunity to observe beavertail cactus, desert bighorn sheep, and lizards amidst unusual rock formations.

The trail is maintained by Refuge volunteers and is used by a variety of visitors, from fourth grade school children on field trips to adventurous people enjoying a full moon hike.

An unusual rock formation catches hikers' eye. Created by water erosion, this formation is called a "hoodoo."

The Painted Desert Trail is the only designated trail on the Refuge and provides visitors an opportunity to explore the Lower Colorado River Valley and Sonoran Desert.

As a National Wildlife Refuge, the trail fulfills four of the "big 6" compatible wildlife-dependent recreational activities, which are: wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation.

	In wet years the trail comes alive with desert wildflowers.

Quotes from fourth grade students:

I saw a snake, butterflies, spiders, lizards, birds, and other stuff.

It was neat to see a gray lizard hide on a gray rock looking up at the sky.

For more information:

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 72217, Yuma, Arizona 85365

(928) 783-3371

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/imperial.html

We frequently add NRT information, photos and maps to these pages. Send suggestions and information requests to American Trails. Research additional NRTs in the NRT database. Update trail/contact information by sending us a completed update form (PDF format). You may also e-mail this information.

The National Recreation Trails Program
American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 • (530) 547-2060 • Fax: (530) 547-2035 • nrt@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org

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