Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR

  As a US congressman from California, Sonny Bono fought for funding to save the Salton Sea which suffers from water depletion, pollution, and too much salinity. The refuge was established in 1930 as a breeding ground for birds and wild animals, and renamed to honor Bono after he died in a skiing accident in 1998.  Over 400 bird species, 41 species of mammals, 18 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians, and 15 species of fish have been recorded on the refuge.

  The refuge features a visitor center, an observation tower, and a trail that climbs to the top of a small inactive volcano – two miles out and back.

   The visitor center was closed during our visit due to coronavirus. Native bushes and tree along with a small pool and a bird feeder attract many common birds to the grounds around the center. A visitor kindly pointed out the nesting spot of a barn owl almost hidden in a palm tree. Very cool!

  The rest of the refuge is not wheelchair accessible. The observation tower has a long ADA compliant ramp but railing blocks the view from the top deck and a view of the sky is all that can be seen by looking through the viewing scope. The trail is flat for a short distance then climbs up a steep hill to elevated trail that goes to the base of the volcano. The trail to the top of the volcano is very steep, narrow, and rocky.

    

  The roads to the refuge are paved and suitable for any RV. The refuge parking lot is small. Since it wasn’t busy when we visited we fit by parking across the spaces.  During busier times RVs and buses can be parked in a  dirt lot on the opposite side of the street. The lot may not be large enough to easily turn around.   Refuge  33.17687, -115.61565