Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Fishing 685 ft Bortle 5 Solitude: 50/100 (secluded)

This hatchery is nestled in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and located 11 miles downriver from Hoover Dam on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. The hatchery started rainbow trout production in 1962 and currently produces approximately 100,000 rainbow trout annually. The trout are stocked to supply and support recreational fishing opportunities for Lake Mohave and the surrounding area. Endangered fishes, like the razorback sucker and bonytail chub, which are endemic to the Colorado River, are also being grown for recovery efforts.

Near Dolan Springs, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.

Based on the terrain, climate, and wildlife at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery, here's what to bring.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.

Climate Gear

Extra water (1L/hr) — In high-heat conditions, your body can sweat 1-2 liters per hour; matching that rate prevents the dangerous spiral of dehydration.
Electrolytes — Sweating depletes sodium and potassium that plain water can't replace; electrolyte tablets prevent the muscle cramps and fatigue of hyponatremia.
Cooling towel — A wet towel on your neck cools blood flowing to your brain, providing immediate relief from heat stress.
Layering system (wide temp swings) — Desert and mountain environments can swing 40+ degrees between dawn and midday; layers let you adapt without overheating or freezing.

Terrain Gear

Water shoes — Stream crossings in hiking boots create blisters from wet leather and add pounds of water weight; dedicated water shoes solve both.
Tide chart awareness — Coastal trails and beach routes can become impassable or dangerous during high tide, trapping hikers against cliffs.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

The Waterfront terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery supports 8 outdoor activities, with birdwatching being the most popular draw.

Photographers rate this area 45/100, with Decent dark sky (Bortle 5) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

birdwatching — Spot and identify birds in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coastal habitats.
fishing — Cast a line in lakes, rivers, or coastal waters in pursuit of local fish species.
photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
sunbathing — Relax in sunny open areas along beaches, lakes, or grassy fields.
swimming — Cool off in designated lakes, rivers, or ocean beaches during warm weather.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Waterfront — Waterfront terrain borders rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or coastlines.

Wildlife Safety at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.

With a danger score of 35/10, Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery has a few wildlife hazards worth preparing for.

Danger rating: 35/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes

UV risk: moderate (Mid latitude (36N))

Photo score: 45/100

Decent dark sky (Bortle 5)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .

Black Bear

A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.

Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include . They're most active during warm months.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

The Waterfront terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery sits within a Waterfront ecosystem home to 3 documented mammal species and 30 bird species.

Trees (1)

desert willow — The crown is open and airy.

Wildflowers (1)

Devil's Spineflower — The plant blooms in spring.

Shrubs (6)

Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
Burrobush — A desert shrub with narrow gray-green leaves and small white to pink flowers.
Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.

Other Plants (5)

California Barrel Cactus
Mojave Yucca
Beavertail Pricklypear
Cottontop Cactus
Johnson's Beehive Cactus

Mammals (3)

Desert Cottontail — Gray-brown rabbit with large ears and white underside to tail.
Bighorn Sheep — Stocky mountain sheep with tan coat and white rump.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — A small desert squirrel with tan fur and white stripe along sides.

Birds (30)

Ring-billed Gull — White body with gray wings
Common Goldeneye — Male with green head and white cheek spot
Cedar Waxwing — Silky brown body with black mask
Redhead — Male with cinnamon head
California Gull — Gray back with white body

Reptiles (7)

Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
Pond Slider — A medium-sized turtle with a smooth oval shell and yellow striping on the head.
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body.
Mojave Desert Tortoise — A large terrestrial tortoise with high-domed brown shell and sturdy legs.
Zebra-tailed Lizard — A slender lizard with long tail marked by bold black-and-white bands.

Insects (8)

Blue Dasher
Mexican Amberwing
Western Honey Bee
Monarch
Pallid-winged Grasshopper

Nature Bingo at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Great-tailed Grackle (bird)
Desert Cottontail (mammal)
Common Side-blotched Lizard (reptile)
Creosote Bush (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave Climate & Sun

For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.

The climate at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery averages 72.8°F annually, with Arid conditions.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 72.8°F

Annual precipitation: 5.4 in

With an average annual temperature of 72.8°F and 5.4 inches of precipitation, Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery has hot, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 95°F, while winter lows drop to 53°F.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec. Consider avoiding: Jul, Aug.

Winter 53°

0.7"

Spring 71°

0.3"

Summer 95°

0.3"

Fall 74°

0.5"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	53°F	0.7 in
Feb	56°F	1.0 in
Mar	63°F	0.7 in
Apr	71°F	0.3 in
May	80°F	0.2 in
Jun	90°F	0.1 in
Jul	95°F	0.3 in
Aug	94°F	0.4 in
Sep	87°F	0.3 in
Oct	74°F	0.5 in
Nov	61°F	0.3 in
Dec	52°F	0.6 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.

Summer: 4:21 AM – 6:55 PM

Winter: 6:41 AM – 4:26 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:41 AM, Sunset 4:26 PM Golden hour from 3:46 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:21 AM, Sunset 6:55 PM Golden hour from 6:18 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:51 AM, Sunset 5:45 PM Golden hour from 5:11 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:20 AM, Sunset 5:47 PM Golden hour from 5:14 PM

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave Trip Planning & Access

Planning your trip to Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery — here's the practical information you'll need.

The nearest major city to Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery is Las Vegas, about 33 miles away.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (33 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $8.34 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 27 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates unknown for dogs, unknown for families, and unknown for elderly visitors.

Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)

Places Near Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.

There are 18 outdoor destinations within easy reach of Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.

The skies above Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery register a Bortle class 5, making this a Suburban sky location for stargazing.

Bortle 5 Suburban sky

Constellations

From Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies.
Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.

Meteor Showers

Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery.

The seasons shape the experience at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery — here's what each one brings.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

Valley locations - timing as listed

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave

This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery sits on the traditional lands of Hualapai.

Territories

Hualapai

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Southern Paiute.

Southern Paiute

Data from Native Land Digital

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Felsic phaneritic intrusive rocks
Age: Cenozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 9
Unique Species: 8
Oldest: 320 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 56
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Manganese, Gold, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Copper, Silver, Potassium

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 2772
ESA Endangered: 56
ESA Threatened: 32
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 125°F (1972-07-13)
Record Low: 9°F (1990-12-23)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 11
Largest Fire: Las Vegas Wash Rx (91.4 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Kingman Wash-Colorado River
Water Quality (Good): 35.853%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 58 (NUFORC)
Haunted Places: 1 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 35/100

Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery (NW, 0mi), Mohave Safety & Conditions

Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.

Check current conditions at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery before heading out using these official sources.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: BOULDER CITY 0.2 E, NV US (11.32 mi)