Mark Twain once said, “Until I came to New Mexico, I never realized how much beauty water adds to a river.”
After staying in Quartzsite, exploring the Mohave and Sonoran Deserts, and hiking the trails through rock canyons, dry falls, sandy stream beds, and dusty washes, like Mark Twain, it was surprising how beautiful the Colorado River at Ehrenberg, AZ looked to us.
Between our stay at the Arizona Oasis RV Resort and several visits to the nearby Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, we had abundant bird watching opportunities and chances to observe wildlife habitats.
From our campsite, we kept our binoculars busy following snowy egrets, cormorants, kites, red wing blackbirds, hummingbirds, robins, mourning doves, coots and ducks each morning and evening.
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
A short drive south from Ehrenberg is the Lower Colorado River flood plain. To mitigate the detrimental effects of dam construction and irrigation siphons upon the habitat for migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife, the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964. Now, marshes, river channels, and backwaters provide winter and permanent homes for hundreds of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other animals.
The volunteer staff in the Visitor Center provided maps and great suggestions for “adventurous” exploring of the Refuge. The natural history exhibits and diagrams inside the Visitor Center were helpful for orientation to the area and plenty of topical brochures were available to take, as well.
The roads through the refuge are unpaved dirt and gravel.
Adjacent to the Visitor Center parking lot is a loop road which circles the alfalfa and corn fields maintained to attract and supply the bird populations. Visitors are required to remain inside their vehicle throughout the Loop drive, however, ample space is available to stop along the route for viewing.
The exception occurs at the cornfield nature trail. Here, several trails lead throughout forest and meadow areas with viewing blinds and platforms.
Beyond the loop are more dirt/gravel roads leading into the more remote areas of the refuge. Having a 4-wheel drive vehicle is an advantage but not required to access most of the observation sites. Fishing and hunting are permitted with restrictions and regulations. We met a hunter and his yellow lab along one of the channels early one morning. Interestingly, only non-lead ammunition can be used on the Refuge and waterfowl hunting participation is by lottery.
Early morning and sunset visits gave us our most spectacular encounters. Although we saw only a tiny fraction of the 240 bird species that frequent the Refuge, the variety and quantity of birds were amazing! Sandhill cranes, snow geese, Canadian geese, mallard ducks, egrets, herons, bluebirds, blackbirds, white pelicans, kestrel hawks, hummingbirds, and many types of songbirds were easily observed in various areas of the property.
At sunrise we witnessed the Sandhill cranes arriving in droves to the field with their unique trilling calls.
A moment later a huge flock of other smaller field birds landed in and among the cranes.
But it was the sunset which took our experience of bird watching to a whole new level. The fields were filled with densely packed groups of bird species – cranes in one area with smaller blackbirds nearby, snow geese gathered with Canadian geese in another area, and songbirds lined up on the overhead wires. As the sun sank behind the mountains, group after group of cranes, geese, songbirds took to the sky calling to each other and joining with V formations higher up and heading west until the fields were empty.
And while we observed many birds during our visits, the Refuge also provided opportunities to discover animal tracks, burrows, and even remains of the more elusive wildlife residents. We watched a coyote walk through a field of Sandhill cranes in broad daylight and continue on towards the mountains.
Seeing the abundant life in the small patch of restored habitat fueled our imaginations for how magnificently populated the whole Colorado River flood plain must have been a few hundred years ago. Cibola NWR has become one of our favorite visits and worth every moment of having to change a flat tire during one of the “adventurous” side routes.
Ehrenberg Historical Pioneer Cemetery
“To perpetuate the memory of the pioneers, trailblazers, and adventurers that rest in these unmarked graves” reads the plaque at the entrance to the historical landmark. Another signpost memorializes the Lost Dutchman Colony. The Ehrenberg Pioneer Cemetery was first used sometime after June 16, 1862. The graves were all piled with rocks as seems to be the custom here in the desert southwest. Many varieties of cactus were growing among the gravesites as well as a few flowering desert plants. Around the base of the marker, embedded in the concrete, were rusting remains of tools, hardware, and homesteading items from the 1800’s as well as a variety of rocks, gems, and minerals found in the area.
Campground Review: Arizona Oasis RV Resort
We stayed at Arizona Oasis RV Resort for a week in a beachfront, back-in, full hook-up site. Level gravel site with concrete patio pad, picnic table, and grill. Palm trees and grass lawn between rear of site and beach at river’s edge. Firepits on beach as well as a pirate ship play structure. Seems to have a great family vibe. Office staff was friendly and helpful with directions to Cibola NWR. Unfortunately, many of the facilities were closed for repair during our stay, including all the Clubhouse restrooms/showers and laundry room. Only the restrooms in the office building were available and only one shower was working. Due to the increased usage, they were not very clean. Many of the activities were canceled as well. Beautiful location, great bird watching, and gorgeous sunsets made for a memorable stay.
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Next up…California: Palm Springs and Joshua Tree
Their RV Travels 
Still in awe and amazement of your adventures. I love being able to see your pictures. ❤️
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Thank you! It is amazing to us too! Thanks for your encouraging comments!
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