Aransas
Austwell, TX 77950
Plan Your Visit
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a bit "off the beaten path," but it's well worth the visit!
Driving Directions
- From the South: Follow Highway 35N to the FM 774 exit. Turn right on FM 774 and go approximately 6 miles. Turn right again on FM 2040. Drive 6 miles to the Refuge gate.
- From the North: Travel south on Hwy 35 to Tivoli. Continue 1 mile to the FM 239 exit. Follow FM 239 to Austwell. Continue on FM 774. Take a right at the stop sign, then right again at the end of the street. Drive ½ mile to FM 2040 intersection. Turn left and drive 6 miles to the Refuge gate.
- GPS Coordinates: 28.313449,-96.804022.
To register when the Visitor Center is closed, stop at the kiosk in front of the Visitor Center, fill out the manila envelope, pay your fee or register your pass, and pick up a map. When the Visitor Center is open, passes can be purchased or registered inside.
Lifetime entrance passes to National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and other federal sites are available to eligible citizens at the refuge.
Senior Pass ($80 lifetime): Available to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. that are age 62 or older.
Access Pass (No fee): Available to citizens of the U.S. that are legally blind or permanently disabled; proof of permanent disability is required.
Lifetime Pass for Military Veterans and Gold Star Families (Free): Available with proper identification.
From the South: Follow Highway 35N to the FM 774 exit. Turn right on FM 774 and go approximately 6 miles, winding through the farm fields. Turn right again on FM 2040. Drive another 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Contact Station to register.
From the North: Travel south on Hwy 35 to Tivoli. Continue past Tivoli approximately 1 mile to the FM 239 exit (on your left). Follow FM 239 to Austwell. Upon entering Austwell, FM 239 turns into FM 774 at the curve. Continue on FM 774. Follow 774 and take a right at the stop sign. At the end of the street, take a right again. As you exit Austwell, drive ½ mile to the FM 2040 intersection. Turn left on FM 2040 and drive 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Contact Station to register.
The GPS coordinates for the refuge’s main entrance are: 28.313449,- 96.804022.
Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.
Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Work with Us
Our dedicated employees perform a wide range of jobs at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries and with public, tribal and private partners.
We hope you’ll join us in advancing our mission of working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
About
Established in 1937, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 115,000 acres of diverse habitat along the Texas Gulf Coast. It is world-renowned as the wintering home of the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes, serving as a focal point for their rescue since 1941. The refuge also includes the Matagorda Island Unit, a remote 56,683-acre natural area dedicated to migratory bird management and the conservation of endangered species.
