Driving Directions to Our Wildlife Observation Areas

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge (Waterfowl and Elk Auto Tour Routes)
From Highway 99: Travel on Highway 99 to Highway 152 westbound.  Travel westbound on Hwy 152 to Los Banos.  Turn right on Mercey Springs Road (fourth stoplight after entering Los Banos from the east).  Continue on Mercey Springs Road (also called Hwy 165) for approximately 6.5 miles to Wolfsen Road.  Turn right onto Wolfsen Road.  Follow Wolfsen Road approximately 2 miles until the pavement ends at the Refuge entrance.  Continue through the gate on the gravel road and follow the signs to the Elk and Waterfowl auto tour routes.

From Interstate 5: Take the Los Banos/Highway 152 east exit.  Travel on Highway 152 eastbound into Los Banos.  Turn left on Mercey Springs Road.  Continue on Mercey Springs Road (also called Hwy 165) for approximately 6.5 miles to Wolfsen Road.  Turn right onto Wolfsen Road.  Follow Wolfsen Road approximately 2 miles until the pavement ends at the Refuge entrance.  Continue through the gate on the gravel road and follow the signs to the Elk and Waterfowl auto tour routes.

Directions to the West Bear Creek Auto Tour Route:
Follow the directions to the San Luis NWR above, but do not turn onto Wolfsen Road.  Instead, continue northbound on Hwy 165 for 9 miles to the West Bear Creek Unit entrance on the right (east) side of the highway.

Merced National Wildlife Refuge
From Los Banos: Travel east on Pacheco Blvd to Mercey Springs Road.  Turn left on Mercey Springs Road.  Continue on Mercey Springs Road for approximately 3 miles to Henry Miller Road.  Turn right on Henry Miller Road and continue for approximately 7 miles to Turner Island Road (4-way stop).  Turn left on Turner Island Road.  After approximately 5.25 miles, turn right onto Sand Slough Road.  Sand Slough Road will curve to the left and become Nickel Road.  After approximately1 mile, the road makes a sharp right and becomes Sandy Mush Road.  Continue on Sandy Mush Road for approximately 3.5 miles to the Refuge entrance on the right (south) side of the road.

From Highway 99: Take the Highway 152 west exit and travel westbound on Hwy 152 for approximately 15 miles.  Take the Hwy 59 north exit toward Merced and travel north for approximately 7 miles to Sandy Mush Road.  Turn left on Sandy Mush Road and travel westbound for approximately 8 miles to the Refuge entrance on the left (south) side of the road.

From Interstate 5: Take the Los Banos/Highway 152 east exit.  Travel on Highway 152 eastbound into Los Banos.  Turn left on Mercey Springs Road.  Continue on Mercey Springs Road for approximately 3 miles to Henry Miller Road.  Turn right on Henry Miller Road and continue for approximately 7 miles to Turner Island Road (4-way stop).  Turn left on Turner Island Road.  After approximately 5.25 miles, turn right onto Sand Slough Road.  Sand Slough Road will curve to the left and become Nickel Road.  After approximately1 mile, the road makes a sharp right and becomes Sandy Mush Road.  Continue on Sandy Mush Road for approximately 3.5 miles to the Refuge entrance on the right (south) side of the road.

San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge - Beckwith Road Observation Platform (Open Fall - Spring)

From Highway 99 in Modesto: Take the Highway 132 west exit.  Travel westbound on Hwy 132 for approximately 8.5 miles.  Turn right on Gates Road.  Travel northbound on Gates Road for approximately 3 miles.  Turn left on Beckwith Road.  Travel westbound on Beckwith Road for 2 miles to the Refuge parking lot on the left side of the road.

From Interstate 5: Take the Highway 132 east exit and travel eastbound on Hwy 132 for approximately 10 miles.  Turn left on Gates Road.  Travel northbound on Gates Road for approximately 3 miles.  Turn left on Beckwith Road.  Travel westbound on Beckwith Road for 2 miles to the Refuge parking lot on the left side of the road.