No streams or rivers leave the Great Basin. The water running off from its mountain ranges ends up mainly in marshes. In the middle of seemingly barren desert, in the midst of such a marshland surrounding freshwater springs, is the Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1959 as a sanctuary for migrating water birds, as well as local wildlife.

A self-guiding auto tour makes an 11.5-mile loop for motorists; the route is outlined in a brochure describing various birds that inhabit the refuge seasonally or year-round. Fish Springs was one of the way stations on the old Pony Express and stage route; it is as isolated as ever, reached by a long bumpy ride from Sugarville.