Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge : Wildlife Viewing Area

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San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, on the U.S.-Mexican border, offers outstanding views east across the San Bernardino Valley toward the Peloncillo and Sierra San Luis, north toward the Chiricahua Mountains, and south toward the Sierra del Tigre in Mexico. Arid lands contrast with areas...
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Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
	Description: The Leslie Canyon Refuge is marked by rough mountainous terrain, dominated by Chihuahuan Desert shrubs and desert grasses. Running through the middle of the refuge is Leslie Creek, with valuable riparian habitat and a rare velvet ash-cottonwood-black willow gallery forest. The refuge was established to protect native fish including the Yaqui chub, Yaqui topminnow, and Yaqui longfin dace, and also provides habitat for the rare Huachuca water umbel and other wetland plants.
	Wildlife to Watch: Lower visitation rates make this a popular site for wildlife photographers and birders seeking solitude. The refuge is home to over 230 different species of resident and migratory birds. These commonly include yellow-breasted chat, Lucy’s warbler, summer tanager, broad-billed and violet-crowned hummingbirds, varied bunting, Bell’s vireo, and black-capped gnatcatcher. There is also a good chance of seeing coatimundi and white-tailed deer, with recently discovered Cockrum’s shrews present year-round. Reptiles and amphibians include black-tailed rattlesnake, Sonoran whipsnake, Sonoran spotted whiptail, Madrean alligator lizard, and Chiricahua leopard frog.
	Special Tips: Areas north of Leslie Canyon Road are open to foot traffic only; areas south of Leslie Canyon Road are closed to public access.
	Other Activities: 1 ½ miles of trails available to hikers, moderate to difficult. Accommodation for visitors with special access needs by reservation.
	Ownership: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Size: 2765 acres Closest Town: Douglas or McNeal
	Facilities: Best Seasons for Wildlife Viewing:

Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge - photo by William Radke

Driving Directions:
Approximately 16 miles north of Douglas and 11 miles southeast of McNeal. From Douglas, drive north on Leslie Canyon Road. From McNeal, drive east on Davis Road. The roadway continues east through the refuge toward Rucker Canyon in the adjacent Chiricahua Mountains.

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