The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Sonoran Desert in southwestern Arizona in the United States. The refuge, established in 1939 to protect Desert bighorn sheep, is located along 56 miles of the Mexico–United States border, and covers 860,010 acres larger than the land area of the state of Rhode Island. Spanish for "dark head," the refuge's name comes from the Cabeza Prieta Mountains in the refuge's northwest part. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Cabeza Prieta as "the best desert wilderness left in the USA." 

The most popular time to visit the refuge is between November and March. The required permit is free and can be obtained at the refuge office in Ajo, Arizona, or by mail. A local organization gives evening presentations on the history, flora, and fauna during these months. Only lawfully-killed game may be taken from the area. The historic El Camino Del Diablo four-wheel drive dirt road crosses the southernmost part of the refuge, near the Mexican border. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.