In the arid landscape of Southern Nevada, water means life. Many of the springs that once dotted the Las Vegas valley are now dry or tapped. Today only a few natural springs located around the valley's fringe still flow as they once did. Corn Creek Field Station, located north of Las Vegas in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge is one such place.

Here, at Corn Creek, clear water wells up from the ground and flows downhill to a small reservoir. Also, you will find a shady orchard, a seasonal visitors center and a refugium for the Pahrump Poolfish whose habitat has been lost. Corn Creek is the primary entrance to the vast Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The photo montage below shows (clockwise): the orchard at Corn Creek (photo, Wendy Smith), Deadman's Canyon in the Sheep Range, The restored historic railroad tie cabin at Corn Creek (photo, Wendy Smith), caves and rock shelters hidden in the surrounding mountains, and Desert Bighorn Sheep (photo, Steve Emmons).

Discover more about the Corn Creek Field Station at Desert National Wildlife Refuge by following these links:

Welcome to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge

Coyote Named This Place "Pakonapanti" tells the story of Corn Creek from the earliest times to the present.

Below you can listen to a yellow-breasted chat photographed near the pond at Corn Creek. Listen closely and you can hear a variety of this bird's vocalizations as well as the sound of frogs in the wetland below it. Photo and sound recording by Karen Johnson.

The landscape of Corn Creek contains many surprises including this overhang (below) which may have been used as a lambing chamber by Desert Bighorn Sheep. A small herd of sheep were kept in captivity at Corn Creek for study in the early refuge period,  Panorama by American Artistry Photographs. The panorama may be paused at any time by clicking on the circular arrow icon. Also, you can maneuver the panorama by dragging your cursor across the image. Adobe Flash required to view the panorama.