Where to See Wild Burros in Arizona: Havasu HMA

The Havasu Herd Management Area (HMA) offers a unique opportunity to observe wild burros in their natural habitat. Spanning 450,790 acres of the Lower Colorado Sonoran Desert, this area is divided between Arizona and California. The Arizona side covers 372,568 acres, while the California side encompasses 78,222 acres. The landscape varies from arroyo-scarred alluvial fans to steep and rocky volcanic mountains, providing a diverse environment for the burros.

How to Get There

This HMA is located in west-central Arizona along the Colorado and Bill Williams rivers. It is split into two units by the Colorado River and is adjacent to the Chemeheuvi Herd Management Area on the California side.

About the Burros

The current population of burros in the Havasu HMA is estimated at approximately 540 animals, with 240 residing in Arizona and 300 in California. About 90% of these burros are gray, while the remaining 10% are black, brown, white, pinto, or piebald. Some burros exhibit the shoulder cross characteristic of the ancestral Nubian wild ass, and many have leg barrings associated with the Somali wild ass. Adult burros typically stand 48 inches tall and weigh around 350 pounds. During the summer months, they concentrate near major water sources, generally within one and a half miles. In cooler months, they move into the mountains and spread throughout the area.

Information gathered from the Bureau of Land Management