Enjoy Your Visit

Wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, photography, and environmental education are all popular activities at the Complex. Public use areas including auto tour routes, nature trails, fishing and wildlife viewing areas are open daily one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. There is no fee to enter the refuges for these activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitor Center

The San Luis NWR Complex Visitor Center and Headquarters located on the San Luis NWR includes an exhibit hall with interactive educational exhibits on wildlife and habitats, tule elk viewing, a multi-purpose room to hold conservation meetings and conduct environmental education programs for schools, and is the administrative headquarters for the Complex.  The Visitor Center complements the wildlife refuges of California’s San Joaquin Valley and provides a focal point for visitors, and a launching point to explore the entire Refuge Complex.  The facility was designed for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency and is seeking a Platinum rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED), and produces all energy used by the facility via banks of solar panels. The Visitor Center may be open for extended hours seasonally, but it is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays.

Wildlife Observation

Automobile tour routes on the Complex enable visitors to experience the diverse assortment of wildlife that call the refuges home. The San Luis NWR has a 5-mile Tule Elk Tour Route that takes visitors around an enclosed herd of over 50 tule elk. Interpretive panels along the way tell the successful story of the tule elks’ struggle against extinction. A 12-mile Waterfowl Tour Route at the San Luis NWR provides viewers the opportunity to see the vast numbers of ducks and geese that make the refuge their winter home.

The 2 ¼-mile tour route at the West Bear Creek Unit of the San Luis NWR provides an intimate view of waterfowl, shorebirds, and riparian songbirds. On the Merced National Wildlife Refuge tour route, visitors can view thousands upon thousands of sandhill cranes and Ross’ geese. Most of these auto tour routes have associated nature trails and observation decks. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars, field guides and cameras to more fully enjoy wildlife.

Photography

Whether an amateur photographer or professional, seeking mammals, birds, wildflowers, or natural landscapes, the Complex provides endless opportunities for wildlife photography. Your vehicle can serve as an excellent photo blind while on auto tour routes.

Environmental Education

The Complex acts as an important outdoor laboratory for schools visiting on field trips. By exploring refuge units, classes of all grade levels integrate the natural world into their classroom lessons. Field trips are by appointment only and can be tailored to specific subject matter. Many interpretive amenities throughout the Complex help visitors understand the importance of the Valley wildlife. Look for information kiosks, elevated viewing platforms, and interpretive panels along the auto tour routes and nature trails.

Hunting

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex has a longstanding waterfowl hunting program. The various units of the Complex offer diverse opportunities for waterfowl hunting, such as free-roam, hunting from blinds, and hunting by boat. The hunting program is cooperatively administered by the California Department of Fish and Game. Information about seasons and bag limits, license and stamp requirements can be found in annual federal and state regulations.

Fishing

Designated areas of the San Luis NWR are open to fishing during daylight hours. The most common species caught are channel catfish, bullhead catfish, striped bass, and black bass. All anglers must have a current fishing license with proper stamps.

Group Programs

Special tours and speaking programs are available to schools, clubs and groups when they can be accommodated – please contact the Complex office with any requests.

Click for Driving Directions