Opportunities for outdoor recreation draw millions of people each year to national wildlife refuges, boosting local economies. Many visitors enjoy hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing or nature photography. Others take part in heritage sports such as hunting and fishing. All these activities offer visitors a chance to unplug from the stresses of modern life and reconnect with their natural surroundings.

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Our sites span all 50 states and five territories. Some places offer things to see and do year-round. Others are season-specific. Time of year often will influence what you can see or do. Dawn and dusk generally are the best times of day to see wildlife.​

Events

Wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries host numerous conservation-oriented programs, festivals and events throughout the year.

Fees

Most places are free. A handful charge a nominal entrance fee. Sometimes fees or permits are required for specific activities such as hunting, camping or fishing. 

Recreate Responsibly

To help ensure that wildlife and people thrive, please recreate responsibly.

Find a Refuge Near You

Ways to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved at any facility in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Learn about the ways you can help out at your local refuge.

Partnerships

The Fish and Wildlife Service enters into agreements with a wide range of organizations at the national, regional, and local levels.

Youth Programs

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) enjoys a proud history working with a range of youth organizations to help young people develop academic, leadership, and citizenship skills.

Outreach

Since 2010, the National Wildlife Refuge System has embarked on strategically and collaboratively addressing the mounting challenges faced by conserving America's wild plants, fish, animals and their habitats in our rapidly changing world.

Learning Opportunities

Outdoor Learning provides you with links to fun facts and info you can use for every trip to our refuges. 

Latest Stories

A group of mussels on sea floor.
Wildlife Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Supports Boaters and Clean Waterways Through Clean Vessel Act Program
Recreational boaters and the nation’s waterways will benefit from more than $16 million in grant funds, thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program. Since the program’s inception in 1993, these grants have improved pump-out stations and waste reception facilities...
Light purple, five-petal flowers with yellow center on a branch with green leaves.
Endangered Species Act
$62.5M for Endangered Species Recovery Planning
Today, on Endangered Species Day, the Department of the Interior announced a $62.5 million investment from the Inflation Reduction Act to help plan for endangered species recovery efforts.
A turtle sticks its head out of as suck it's been stuffed inside
Wildlife Crime
Keeping turtles safe from illegal trade
Conservationist Jeff Corwin teamed up with the Service and partners to raise awareness about threats to America’s native turtles and tortoises, including illegal collection. Join Jeff in the field to track eastern box turtles and learn how you can help keep them wild.
boat with service employees electrofishing with multiple fish jumping out of water
Science and Technology
Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Offers up to $100,000 for Novel Conservation Solutions
The public can now help reimagine what drives wildlife conservation in the 21st century by participating in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize competitions, which open for entries today.

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Activities at Refuge Facilities

Accessible trails
Alaskan subsistence hunting and fishing
Archery
Auto tour
Backpacking
Beach combing
Biking
Birding
Boating - motorized
Boating - non-motorized
Camping
Climbing
Cross-country skiing
Cultural heritage
Dog sledding
Dog training
Dog walking
Earthcaching
Education programs
Firewood cutting
Fish viewing
Fishing
Fly fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Hunting
Ice fishing
Off-road vehicles
Painting and drawing
Photography
Picnicking
Ranger-led programs
Running
Shed antler collection
Shell fishing
Snorkeling and scuba diving
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Trapping
Wild edible foraging
Wildlife watching

Upcoming Events

Spokane Audubon member and long term refuge volunteer gets a rare opportunity to hold her Chapter's mascot - a northern pygmy owl.
Image Details

View the upcoming events at our national wildlife refuge facilities.

Bird, Butterfly and Dragonfly Walk with Cliff and Nancy Hence

Take an educational walk with our knowledgeable volunteers Cliff and Nancy Hence! Discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes - each week guarantee different species! Along the way, they will also be looking out for butterflies and dragonflies. Walk will...

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Outdoor Activity
Mindfulness in Nature: Yoga

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is partnering with Mollie Flores to teach our community about being mindful in nature through a guided yoga class! Sign up today to connect to your inner self and nature!

Please note:

1. We have yoga mats to loan out to...

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Outdoor Activity
Tots on Trails

Join us for a guided walk and activities at St. Marks NWR for children 18 months to 4 years old and their care givers on the first Thursday of each month. Meet in the Education Building before going outside. Registration is required. Call...

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Nature's Classroom
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