Willcox Playa National Natural Landmark

The Willcox Dry Lake or Playa, the largest “dry lake” in Arizona, is a remnant of the pluvial Lake Cochise. Unlike similar dry lakes, the black mud below the surface contains a rich fossil pollen record of the pluvial periods of the Pleistocene epoch, a significant geological period that lasted from approximately 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago. 

The site has become a seasonal night-time roosting area for 4,000-8,000 sandhill cranes and contains the greatest variety of tiger beetles in the United States. The playa has also been an area of interest for scientists who study how plants adapt to playa conditions and has been the scene of studies on the prehistoric pollen deposits. Several rare and endemic species of crustaceans are also known from the playa. 

The Wilcox Playa is important both on a national and local scale. A portion of the playa is a National Natural Landmark (NNL), designated in 1966 at 2,369 acres. The playa is also an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) to protect the values at risk. The playa’s botanical, cultural and wildlife values are sensitive, rare, unique and vulnerable to adverse change. 

The Safford Field Office currently manages the Willcox Playa NNL/ACEC for:

•  Non-motorized vehicle use
• Visual character of the landscape, allowing a low level of visual change 

The following are not allowed on the playa: 

• Wood cutting
• Rights-of-way issued through the area

The BLM also recommends that no fires be made on the playa surface and minimal surface disturbance be made to the playa. Target shooting is also not recommended due to the lack of backstops and the proximity to roads and buildings. The BLM promotes responsible recreation on your public lands by encouraging you to stay on designated routes and pack out what you pack in.

In the vicinity of the dry lake is the Willcox Playa Wildlife Area, administered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The location boasts rich wildlife and hosts the annual January birding festival Wings Over Willcox. Additional information about wildlife and conservation strategies for the area can be found at the AZGFD Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy website. 

The majority of the Willcox Dry Lake is managed by the Department of Defense, U.S. Army and was a historical bombing range for the military. Currently, the area is used by the Electronic Proving Ground, based at Fort Huachuca. The area is signed and restricted for public entry.