Group of Sandhil Cranes at Muleshoe. Photo credit: USFWS.

Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

Muleshoe, the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas, is one of a chain of refuges in the central flyway. Located on the high plains of west Texas, Muleshoe was established as a wintering area for migratory waterfowl and sandhill cranes. When sufficient water is present, the refuge hosts large numbers of sandhill cranes and a variety of waterfowl.

Short-grass rangeland with scattered mesquite extends over most of the refuge's 7,089 acres. Muleshoe has three sink-type lakes that have no outlets, depend entirely on runoff for water, and are periodically dry. When the lakes are full, 600 acres of water are available for wildlife.