About Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
The 2,765-acre refuge was established in 1988 to protect two of the eight native fish species of the Río Yaqui watershed: the Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea) and the Yaqui topminnow (Poeciliopsis sonoriensis). In addition, the refuge protects a unique velvet ash-black walnut-cottonwood forest along Leslie Creek that is important for many migrating and nesting birds. It is 17.5 miles north of the international border with Mexico in southeast Arizona's Cochise County and is one of more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges, a federal network of lands and waters set aside for the benefit of wildlife
How to Get There
The refuge visitor center/headquarters office is located separately from the refuge about 11.5 miles north of Douglas along Highway 191. The physical street address is 7628 North Highway 191, Douglas, AZ 85607. GPS coordinates to the refuge headquarters: 31.50354, -109.65588. GPS coordinates for the refuge trailhead: 31.58801, -109.51357. The headquarters are located on Highway 191 approximately 11.5 miles north of the Highway 80 and Highway 191 junction, four miles west of Douglas. From A Ave., go north (A Ave. becomes Leslie Canyon Rd. after highway 80). The refuge is approximately 16.4 miles north of Douglas on Leslie Canyon Road. The trailhead is 0.33 miles up Leslie Canyon Rd. Take exit 303 at Benson. Drive through Benson and follow signs to Tombstone. Almost four miles south of Tombstone, turn left onto Davis Road. Stay on Davis Road for 26 miles. At the second stop sign, turn right onto Highway 191. The entrance to the refuge headquarters is seven miles south of Davis Road on the right hand side of Highway 191. The Office is one mile west of Highway 191. Take exit 5 at Road Forks, New Mexico. Stay on Highway 80 through Douglas and turn right at Highway 191. Approximately 11.3 miles turn left onto the refuge headquarters entrance road. The headquarters is one mile west.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/3930) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge visitor center/headquarters office is located separately from the refuge about 11.5 miles north of Douglas along Highway 191. The physical street address is 7628 North Highway 191, Douglas, AZ 85607. GPS coordinates to the refuge headquarters: 31.50354, -109.65588. GPS coordinates for the refuge trailhead: 31.58801, -109.51357. The headquarters are located on Highway 191 approximately 1…
How do I contact Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 520-364-2104 or email: bill_radke@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
