Wildlife Viewing

Photo credit: USFW, Trinity NWR Staff	Photo credit:© Shannon Tompkins

Wildlife observation opportunities are available on five tracts at the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge. The Champion Lake Public Use Area offers the most variety. This 800- acre cypress-tree-studded lake and adjacent 4,600 acres of bottomland hardwood forest offers viewing (depending on time of the year) of over 100 species of birds. Nearly two dozen species of reptiles including the venomous cottonmouth water moccasin, various other snakes and turtles, and of course, alligators. Amphibians include many frogs, most of which you can only hear and rarely see. Mammals include white-tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons, and if you are real lucky, a bobcat. A butterfly/hummingbird garden with short trail is located at Champion Lake. Additionally, the Refuge has documented nearly 650 plants. Other tracts that offer wildlife observation opportunities include Butler Tract, Brierwood Tract, Page Tract, and McGuire Tract. A listing of all Refuge Species is available at this link.

Photo credit: USFW, Trinity NWR Staff

Except for a portable toilet at Champion Lake, no other facilities are available.

Please leave the area cleaner than when you arrived.

Photo credit: USFW, Trinity NWR Staff	Photo credit: © Lisa Holmes

General Refuge Regulations

The Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge does not rehabilitate aminals. Stacy Huffman near Old River/Dayton is a Licensed Willdlife Rehabilitator and her number is 281-576-6200.