Description

Fairbanks Spring is located at the base of some low hills at the northern edge of the Refuge. Water flows from a large spring pool into a broad marshy area with dikes (including the road) that create ponds that are completely overgrown with cattails and bulrushes. There are a number of cottonwood, ash, and mesquite trees around the impoundments, but there are few trees south of the road where the water flows out into a broad, flat marshy area. The surrounding area is dry, sparsely vegetated Mojave Desert Scrub with creosote bush and white bursage.

Location

Fairbanks Spring is located on the Ash Meadows National Wildlife, about 2 hours northwest of Las Vegas and about 4.9 air-miles north of the Refuge Office.

To get to the spring pool, continue driving north to a T-intersection with Imvite Road (no street sign) at the refuge boundary (Site 979), turn right, and drive east for about 60 yards to a sign and parking area on the right (south) side of the road. Walk through a narrow gate (gap in the fence) and continue southeast for less than 1 minute to the spring pool (Site 696).

Hours

The refuge is day-use only: open sunrise to sunset.

Fees

None.

Specialties

Fairbanks Spring is a good place to see desert species when they come in for water. Check the trees and shrubs for House Finches, White-crowned and Chipping sparrows, Yellow-rumped and other warblers, Chukar, Gambel's Quail, and Mourning Doves. Watch the marsh for Red-winged blackbirds and Marsh Wrens.