Visit Us
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. At Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, each season brings new sights and sounds that can help recharge your soul and lift your spirits. Take a relaxing cruise along Wildlife Drive on the shores of Lake Texoma to watch wading birds stalk their prey or a northern harrier glide over marshes in search of small mammals. Listen to the sounds of songbirds and insects while you stroll along one of five hiking trails. Every visit offers something different than the one before. What might you see today?
Driving Directions
- From Dallas: North on Hwy. 75 to US 82; west on US 82 for 5 miles; north on Hwy. 289 for 4 miles; west on Refuge Road for 4 miles.
- From I-35: Exit 498A to US 82 east; US 82 east (27 miles) to Hwy. 289; north on Hwy. 289 for 4 miles; west on Refuge Road for 4 miles.
- From Oklahoma: South on Hwy. 75 to exit 69 (FM 120 in Denison, TX); west on FM 120 for 3.5 miles; south on FM 1417 for 2.5 miles; west on Refuge Road (watch for sign) for 6 miles to refuge entrance.
- From US Hwy. 82: North on Hwy. 289 for 4 miles; west on Refuge Road for 4 miles.
GPS Coordinates: 33.442108 and -96.450725
Fees
There is no charge to visit.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available inside the refuge visitor center. Outdoor restrooms are available at Big Mineral, Goode, and Sandy Day Use Areas.
Points of Interest
Volunteers or staff at the visitor center can help you plan your visit whether it is for an hour or a day! Take the two-mile auto tour, hike on one of five hiking trails, or try your luck fishing in Lake Texoma. Maps of the refuge are available to help you identify roads and trails for driving, biking, and walking. Visitor center displays offer information on commonly seen birds and wildlife. See photos from the historic town of Hagerman, the KATY (Missouri, Kansas, Texas) railroad, and discover what was here even before settlers came in the late 1800’s. Be sure to pick up trail and wildlife guides designed to help you explore the refuge, birds, and wildlife you may see during your visit. Relax on an indoor bench looking out to a butterfly garden or step outside to a patio overlooking Lake Texoma. From spring through fall, you can watch birds and butterflies feeding in the pollinator garden while winter months attract geese by the thousands to visible wheat fields. While there, visit the Friends of Hagerman Nature Nook gift shop for field guides, t-shirts, and other educational items. All proceeds directly support Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.
What To Do
If you have 15-minutes
- Explore the visitor center exhibits and pick up maps and trail guides for your next visit.
If you have one hour
- Take a hike on Harris Creek Trail across from the visitor center driveway.
- Take the 2-mile Wildlife Drive along Lake Texoma to look for birds and other wildlife.
If you have half a day or more
- Explore one of five hiking trails
- Take a drive along Wildlife Drive.
- Take a hike along Meadow Pond Trail. The trail is almost 6 miles out and back, but you can walk as far as you like then turn around.
- Take a walk along Haller’s Haven Trail. This is a 2.7 mile loop that passes by the lake, ponds, and through forested uplands.
- Take a short stroll along Crow Hill Trail, which offers a one-mile loop hike.
Know Before You Go
Each season in north Texas is different and can bring a variety of things to keep in mind. Always check the weather forecast (zip code 75092) and dress appropriately. Wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of drinking water and snacks, and remember to apply sunscreen. From spring through fall, insect repellant is a good item to carry along with you. Be aware that stinging or biting insects and poison ivy may be encountered at almost any place on the refuge. If you see a vine with “leaves of three” always “leave it be”, as it may be poison ivy. Native, venomous snakes, including copperhead, cottonmouth, and three varieties of rattlesnake, inhabit the refuge as do many non-venomous species. Learn to identify common species and always keep a distance from any snakes you may see. Remember, all snakes and other wildlife are protected except as permitted during legal seasons in specified areas for deer, feral hog, wild turkey, rabbit, squirrel, and dove.
Visitor Tips
Mornings beginning at sunrise and evenings an hour or so before sunset are often the best times of day to see birds and wildlife. Cloudy, overcast days might not seem ideal for wildlife-watching, but they provide the perfect opportunity to see some of the snow and Ross’ geese on the lake or in refuge marshes.
Weekends typically bring more visitors out to enjoy refuge lands than you will find on a weekday. To encounter fewer people, plan to visit any non-holiday Monday through Friday to find fewer people on roads and trails.
Your vehicle makes an excellent “observation blind” as you travel along refuge roads. Birds are often accustomed to slow traffic and will remain where they are instead of flying away if you remain in your vehicle. On the other hand, many birds will readily fly off if you get out of the vehicle for a closer look or to take photos.
At the visitor center you can borrow binoculars free of charge and see a list of what birds were noted during the weekly bird survey. Wildlife viewing guides for several species including birds, butterflies, mammals, waterfowl, and others are available at the visitor center.
Activities
Many different types of outdoor recreation are compatible with the purpose for which the refuge was established and are allowed and encouraged. If you are uncertain if an activity you wish to participate in is permitted, contact the refuge office at 903-786-2826.
Trails
Harris Creek Trail
- Open Season: Open year round
- Length: 1/3 mile accessible loop; 1 mile loop; 2 mile loop
- Location of trail: Harris Creek Trail begins across from the visitor center access road along Refuge Road.
- Surface: Packed, crushed granite; dirt and grass
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Information: A photo blind overlooks a small pond just 300 feet down the trail. The one-mile loop passes through forested areas and by several ponds. The two-mile loop takes you to a more hilly area with grasslands and some openings. A variety of birds and wildlife live in this area.
Raasch Trail
- Open Season: Open year round
- Length: 1.5 miles (one way)
- Location of trail: Just north of the visitor center at the intersection of Refuge Road and Wildlife Drive. Park near (but do not block) the gate.
- Surface: Gravel, dirt, grass
- Difficulty: Easy
- Information: This trail follows a section of the former KATY Railroad bed. It passes by small creeks, farmed fields, and bottomland forests.
Haller’s Haven Trail
- Open Season: Open year round
- Length: 2.7 miles round-trip
- Location of trail: Goode Day Use Picnic Area
- Surface: Dirt, grass
- Difficulty: Easy
- Information: This popular trail passes through bottomland hardwoods, past two ponds, slightly uphill then makes a loop through forested uplands, and grasslands. The second pond, located ¼ mile down the trail, is a great place to see any of the seven species of woodpeckers found on the refuge plus often a variety of wading birds and raptors.
Crow Hill Trail
- Open Season: Open year round
- Length: 1 mile round-trip
- Location of trail: South end of Silliman Road off Wildlife Drive
- Surface: Dirt and grass
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Information: From the parking lot walk through the gate opening and up the short hill. You will see the trail on your left in about 200 yards. Once you enter the forested area the trail splits into two directions and forms a loop. Either direction you walk will return you to that location.
Meadow Pond Trail
- Open Season: Open year round
- Length: 5.7 miles round-trip
- Location of trail: Southwest end of Wildlife Drive
- Surface: Gravel, dirt and grass
- Difficulty: Easy
- Information: Park at the trailhead near the gate or in the parking lot across Bennett Lane at the Day Use Area. Meadow Pond Trail is located on a section of the former KATY (Missouri, Kansas, Texas) Railroad bed. Forests, Deaver Pond, several tributaries of Big Mineral Creek, and farmed fields along the trail provide habitat for many species of birds and wildlife. Watch for deer and turkey, listen to songbirds, and keep an eye out for bald eagles that nest in the vicinity.
Other Facilities in the Complex
The Nocona Unit of Hagerman National Wildlife consists of 822-acres located in Montague County approximately 75 miles west of Sherman. This unit is managed by staff from the primary unit near Sherman with partner staff from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Montague County staff.
Rules and Policies
Refuge lands are generally open from sunrise to sunset daily year-round. Some units close for 3-day, limited permit archery deer, feral hog, or wild turkey hunts in fall and spring. During these hunts, Wildlife Drive and one or more hiking trails remain open to the public.
Because the refuge lies within the Lake Texoma watershed, several roads and trails including Wildlife Drive are subject to flooding. The Lake Texoma water level is controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The amount of water that can be released downstream to reduce flooding above the dam is based on many factors, especially downstream flooding.
Locations
Flooding may occur if the elevation of Lake Texoma exceeds 621' MSL.