Pixley NWR, Tulare County California

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge consists of 6,833 acres of valley grassland and wetland habitats. Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is along the eastern edge of the San Joaquin Valley just north of Kern County.

NOTE: The cranes leave by early March and return in late September.

The first crane count of the year found over 4,000 cranes at the refuge in late October.

Pixley Trail Dedication   Nature Trail Guide   PIXLEY IN WORDS & PICTURES   Checklist of Birds of Pixley NWR 

Home to a small marsh and a significant portion of valley grassland habitat. It is the best place in the southern valley to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. Pixley supports most of the endangered species that occur in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Directions to the refuge: From State Hwy 99. At Earlimart take Ave. 56 (Sierra Ave.) west 5.7 miles. An unmarked county road with two bent reflector panels near a ditch is Road 88. Take this road north for approximately 1 mile until you cross a small ditch (Deer Creek), on the left there is a break in the fence where you will find a gravel parking area. The trailhead is found here. Trail guides are available in the box on the information sign.

The areas behind these signs remain closed to protect the wildlife. Please respect our furry and feathery friends and stay on the trail. THERE IS NO HUNTING ALLOWED ON THE REFUGE. No water or trash service is available at the refuge, please do not litter.

The trail sign at the refuge has a map which outlines the refuge boundaries and the different habitats. The trail is open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. There is no hunting allowed on the refuge, so if you encounter someone, please call the refuge office or CalTip to notify the proper authorities.

The tan areas are upland and the blue areas are wetlands.

Thousands of Sandhill Cranes use this refuge each winter from November through March.

Unless otherwise noted images are courtesy of Alison Sheehey. All Rights Reserved. This site is a volunteer project of Alison Sheehey and Nature Ali. Please contact her for information about this site and project. Copyright 1998-2012