
Gate and trail to Fairbanks Spring (view southeast). |
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. |
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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.
From Las Vegas, drive out to Ash Meadows National Wildlife.
From the Refuge Office (Table 1, Site 691), drive out to the main
refuge road. Drive straight across the main road and continue driving
north (actually northwest here) on the well-graded dirt road for about
6 miles to Fairbanks Marsh (Site 592). As a landmark, the
road passes Rogers Spring (Site 591) about 1.5 miles before reaching
the marsh. |
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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). |

Outflow stream. |
Hours
The refuge is day-use only: open sunrise to sunset.
Fees
None. |

Pupfish and crawdad in Fairbanks Spring. |
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.
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Fairbanks marsh (view northeast). |
Fairbanks Spring is also good for finding migrants, but the species mix depends on the season,
and during migration it depends on just who is moving through at the
time. Review the refuge bird list for some ideas on what
to expect during the time of year when you will be visiting. |