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National Wildlife Refuges in Nevada

10 national wildlife refuges in Nevada with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Clark County has the most (2). The darkest skies are at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (Bortle 1).

Top national wildlife refuges

Ash Meadows National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows National Wildlife RefugeNye County
Desert National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Desert National Wildlife RefugeClark County
Moapa Valley National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Moapa Valley National Wildlife RefugeClark County
Pahranagat National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Pahranagat National Wildlife RefugeLincoln County
Sheldon National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Sheldon National Wildlife RefugeWashoe County
Fallon National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Fallon National Wildlife RefugeChurchill County
Anaho Island National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Anaho Island National Wildlife RefugeWashoe County
Ruby Lake National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Ruby Lake National Wildlife RefugeElko County
Stillwater National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Stillwater National Wildlife RefugeChurchill County
National Wildlife Refuge
Winnemucca National Wildlife RefugePershing County

Map

How to photograph national wildlife refuges

Wildlife is most active in the first and last two hours of daylight — exactly when the light is warmest.

  • Use auto-loop roads as mobile blinds; animals often tolerate vehicles more than people on foot.
  • Stay on designated routes and keep a respectful distance — if an animal changes behavior, you are too close.
  • A 400–600 mm lens (or a crop body) is the usual tool for birds.
  • Fast shutter speeds (1/2000 s+) freeze wingbeats; raise ISO rather than lose the shot.
  • Migration peaks bring the largest concentrations — see the birding calendar for this state.

Season: Spring and autumn migration are the highlights; winter brings waterfowl to many southern refuges.