Walk On The Wild Side

The endangered Yuma clapper rail inhabits the Yuma Wetlands Wildlife Area.

Walk On The Wild Side:Yuma Wetlands Wildlife Area

Located in western Arizona, the Yuma Wetlands Wildlife Area offers outdoor recreational opportunities such as wildlife viewing, angling and hiking. There is a 2.5-mile walking trail that takes visitors through areas of restored cottonwood, willow and mesquite habitat along the Colorado River and restored back channel.

Common mammals in the wildlife area include beavers, bobcats, Botta's pocket gophers, cactus mouse, desert cottontails, round-tailed ground squirrels, and gray foxes. Common birds include brown pelicans, white-faced ibis, great egrets, least bitterns, snowy egrets, killdeer, Yuma clapper rails, and Gila woodpeckers.

Yuma Wetlands is located at Gateway Park in downtown Yuma. A walking trail begins at the eastern edge of Gateway Park, at Gila and 1st streets.