Visit Us
While visiting the refuge consider stopping by the Visitor Center to learn about the local flora and fauna and chat with refuge staff and volunteers who can provide helpful information, maps, brochures and checklists. The trails showcase native plants, animals, and many different habitats. Paddlers can see the refuge from Little Lagoon by accessing the canoe / kayak launch at the Jeff Friend Trail. Whether it's the solitude of watching a soaring hawk through your binoculars, learning about the amazing journey of a migrating songbird on a guided walk, or simply playing in the surf with your kids there are a ton of great ways to connect with nature at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
Activities
While visiting the refuge consider stopping by the Visitor Center to learn about the local flora and fauna and chat with refuge staff and volunteers who can provide helpful information, maps, brochures and checklists. The trails showcase native plants, animals, and many different habitats. Paddlers can see the refuge from Little Lagoon by accessing the canoe / kayak launch at the Jeff Friend Trail. Whether it's the solitude of watching a soaring hawk through your binoculars, learning about the amazing journey of a migrating songbird on a guided walk, or simply playing in the surf with your kids there are a ton of great ways to connect with nature at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
Our small visitor contact station is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CST. For the dates of unexpected closures of our visitor contact station, please call 251-540-7720 and press 3.
Our trails and beach access locations are open from sunrise until sunset 7 days a week.
Trails
Refuge trails give visitors an opportunity to discover different habitats of the refuge: dunes, swales, wetlands, maritime forests and scrub habitats. The trails are open year-round, sunrise to sunset and highlight the unique features of the area. Refuge staff, volunteers and partners offer guided bird walks, dune hikes, and night prowls throughout the year. All refuge trails are designed for foot traffic, bicycles are not allowed.
At this time, all trails are open, however, the Centennial boardwalks have been closed due to safety concerns. You can still walk the centennial trail up to the boardwalk on both sides. We are working on repairing and replacing these sections, please check back for updates here and on our social media for re-openings.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Rules and Policies
Know Before You Go
During the summer months a hat, sunscreen and bug repellent will make your visit a success. Biting insects are year round residents and especially plentiful during the summer months. Water is also extremely important; it is easy to become dehydrated while hiking and wildlife watching on the refuge. Pets are not permitted on the refuge at any time, with the exception of service dogs.
Fees and National Passport (Pass) Program
There is no entry fee required to visit Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
All America the Beautiful passes, including the Annual, Senior, Access, Military and 4th Grade passes are available for purchase at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge visitor contact station from Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays, from 9am-1pm. For the dates of unexpected closures of our visitor contact station, please call 251-540-7720 and press 3. The forms of payment accepted are cash or check. Exact change is appreciated.
Bicycles are not allowed on trails.
Refuge trails are designed for foot traffic only.
Locations
While visiting the refuge consider stopping by the Visitor Center to learn about the local flora and fauna and chat with refuge staff and volunteers who can provide helpful information, maps, brochures and checklists.
The Refuge Office and Visitor Center is located on State Highway 180 on the Fort Morgan Peninsula in Gulf Shores, Alabama. You can reach the refuge by the ferry from the west side of Mobile Bay or driving through Mobile and heading south to Gulf Shores.