Located within Yuma, Arizona, the MIttry Lake Wildlife Area consists of 3,000 acres. The majority of the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area is marsh and upland, while the remaining 600 acres is water. It is managed by both the Arizona Game and Fish Department, as well as the United States Bureau of Reclamation. There you will find several different types of unique vegetation. There are also plenty of different landscapes nearby.
You’ll see valleys, mountains, and deserts, depending on the time of year that you visit. There are lots of outdoor activities for visitors to the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area to enjoy. During the summer, you’ll be able to go swimming, fishing, and boating. In the colder months, ice fishing is popular, as well as OHV riding and a good old fashioned picnic.
Are you an animal lover? You’ll likely enjoy all of the wildlife that can be found in the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area. You might even get the chance to see a herd of wild horses gallop around. This is a beautiful place to spend the afternoon and luckily, there are a few nearby campgrounds that make staying for the weekend a breeze.
Due to its location, you can reach the area from Arizona and California. You can even get there from Mexico quite easily. Many visitors take AZ Highway 95 to reach the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area. Once you’ve found yourself going north on Avenue 7E, you’ll keep going north even after the road turns to gravel for about a half a mile. All roads with the exception of the last half mile are paved and well-maintained.
Depending on where you’re coming from, you may have to drive through mountains to reach the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area. If this is the case, be careful with high-profile vehicles such as RVs. Once you’ve arrived at the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area, the majority of travel is done on foot. Some of the terrain is quite intense and wearing hiking boots might be a smart idea. Many people also choose to use watercraft to get around when visiting the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area. You can use a fishing boat, kayak, or even a canoe. In specific areas you can drive off-highway vehicles as well.
One of the best places you can rest your head while visiting the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area is Picacho State Recreation Area. This place has plenty of campsites to go around, with 85 in total. Camping is allowed for RV and tent campers only. It is the perfect place to stay if you don’t want to give up all of your amenities. Picacho State Recreation Area has electric hookups for RVs, but there aren’t any sewer or water hookups available.
Even though there are electric hookups for RVs, generator use is not allowed. However, you will find plenty of modern amenities there. You’ll have access to Wi-Fi, updated restrooms, showers, a dump station, and running water. All 85 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Picacho State Recreation Area limits each campsite to 12 campers per site. This is the perfect spot for someone who isn’t looking at immersing themselves in nature during the entirety of their trip to the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area.
Next, you can stay at 4S Beach Campground. This is quite the opposite of the previous camping option. 4S Beach Campground offers primitive camping and only has four campsites in total. This is great for people looking to get away from crowds and be surrounded by nature. The campsites at 4S Beach Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis. People staying there while visiting the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area enjoy that each campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and plenty of shade.
There are also shaded canopies for the whole campground to share. There are no amenities available to campers other than those at each campsite. You won’t find running water, trash bins, or even toilets. It’s also important to mention that you won’t have too much cell phone service while staying at 4S Beach Campground. It’s nice and close to a nearby river as well. This is perfect for when it gets too hot and also doubles as a great background sound.
If you’re an avid angler, fishing is an activity that you’ll be able to enjoy during peak season in the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area. What you can expect to catch will depend on where you’re fishing. If you’re closer to the dock or vegetation, you can expect to catch quite a few bluegill. Out in the more open areas of the lake, you are more likely to catch plenty of different trout and bass, including largemouth bass and rainbow trout.
Taking the boat out onto Mittry Lake is a blast. You will have to bring your own watercraft, as there aren’t any rentals in the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area. Boating is a great way to relax and soak up some of the summer sun. You could also take out a paddle-powered watercraft such as a canoe or kayak. If you’re feeling really sporty, you could even bring a standing paddle board. Just be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen.
Visiting the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area calls for some water sports to be enjoyed. As you’ve already read, boating and fishing are popular activities. Swimming is something else that visitors enjoy. It’s a great way to cool off during the steamy Arizona summers.
You could also take the jet skis out for an afternoon of fun. There are also classic water sports such as volleyball or Marco Polo that the entire family can enjoy.
Lastly, when visiting the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area you can rest your head at Little Picacho Wilderness. This is another solid option for those looking to get away from busy campgrounds. Little Picacho Wilderness allows visitors to immerse themselves in tall trees and plenty of wildlife. You can camp there on a first-come, first-served basis all year round.
Because of the lack of amenities, many people suggest Little Picacho Wilderness for RV campers instead of those using a tent, but both are allowed. It is important to mention that if you are camping in a tent, there are very specific areas for you to set up camp in. There aren’t any hookups available for those who choose to stay in an RV. You won’t find picnic tables or fire rings either. With that being said, campfires are allowed as long as you use local downed wood and clean up after yourself.
One of the most fun off-season activities that children and adults love is OHV riding. Off-highway vehicles include dirt bikes and four-wheelers. As long as you know the Mittry Lake Wildlife Areas where it’s legal to ride, it’s a blast!
The changing terrain makes this a really entertaining activity. Be sure to wear safety equipment and have the necessary permits to enjoy a weekend of riding around the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area.
Who doesn’t love a classic picnic? When visiting the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area, a picnic is the perfect way to start or end your day. If you’ve spent all afternoon swimming, why not end the day with some freshly caught fish? You could also fuel up for a long day of hiking by having a picnic with fresh fruit, oatmeal, and a cup of Joe. Be sure to clean up after yourself to help preserve the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area.
Easily one of the best off-season activities that you can enjoy while visiting the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area is wildlife viewing. There are plenty of animals roaming around the state of Arizona. Because of its location, the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area has more wildlife to offer than other places in the state. You’ll likely see wild horses, spotted bats, desert tortoises, and bighorn sheep. If you’re camping with children or elderly relatives, this is the perfect activity.
