The Bill Williams river provides habitat for fish and wildlife, clean water, forage, and recreational opportunities. It was named after an Arizona mountain man, Bill Williams. The Bill Williams River was historically unique to this section of the Lower Colorado River as a major tributary that was used as a travel corridor by Native American, European explorers, and early settlers. The river's flow is now controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers at Alamo Dam.
Wildlife: The river valley provides an opportunity for you to see a variety of wildlife. The river system provides habitat for both migratory and resident birds. Local wildlife includes bighorn sheep, deer, coyotes, javelina, ring-tail cats, foxes, and more. Aquatic life includes macroinvertebrates, amphibians, and fish. Turtles, beavers, muskrats, and raccoons frolic beneath the cottonwood and willow trees along the river banks.
Directions: There are only two public access vehicle crossings of the river, on Lake Havasu at the Highway 95 bridge and the El Paso Natural Gas Pipeline Crossing. The lower portion of the river, in the Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge is accessible from the road south of the Bill Williams bridge on Highway 95.
Wilderness: The Swansea and the Rawhide Mountain Wilderness areas straddle the Bill Williams River between Planet Ranch and Alamo Dam. The Rawhide Mountain Wilderness contains rugged uplands and the scenic Banded Canyon of the Bill Williams River. The Swansea Wilderness includes Black Mesa, a volcanic upland, a more open river canyon, and two vehicle access corridors to the river.
Directions: Some portions of the Wilderness boundaries can be accessed by roads.
More information on visiting area Wilderness.
Wild & Scenic Rivers: Three segments of the Bill Williams River totaling 21.1 miles have been determined suitable for inclusion in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. These segments possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, fish, and wildlife values. For more information see the National Rivers Inventory Arizona website.
OHV access: There are many scenic roads in this area. Road conditions vary in challenge level, from the family car to rugged jeep track. Vehicle travel in the Bill Williams area is limited to existing roads and trails. Wilderness areas are closed to vehicles. Please respect boundary signs posted at historic tracks, washes, and in the river corridor.
More OHV information.
Directions: Be sure to get a map before exploring this area and observe all land owners' signs.