Difficulty: Difficult, because you need to add an additional 1 mile to get to the trail. Therefore, roundtrip is 3.6 miles.
Information: This is the only caliche trail that is available for bikes. It cuts down the middle of Wildlife Drive/Auto-tour loop and makes the biking ride 4 miles.
Cattail Lakes Trail
Open Season: Open–year round
Length: 1.6 Miles (2.6 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Difficult, 3.2 miles roundtrip.
Information: Meander through four distinct plant and animal communities along this 1.6-mile trail and discover the amazing biodiversity of the lower Rio Grande delta. Look for cactus wrens nesting in the prickly pear. Watch the great kiskadee pluck insects from the air!
Chachalaca Trail
Open Season: Open–year round
Length: 0.5 Miles (0.8 km)
Surface: Crushed granite and dirt
Difficulty: Easy, family friendly trail
Information: This is one of the most popular trails. It goes through rare subtropical woodland. Here, you will see what much of the landscape along the Rio Grande looked like before European settlers arrived.
Jaguarundi Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 1.5 Miles (2.4 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Very difficult, because you need to add an additional 1-mile to get to the trail. Therefore, roundtrip is 5-miles.
Information: Southern Trail
Malachite Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.2 Miles (0.3 Km)
Surface: Paved, Boardwalk, ADA compliant
Difficulty: Easy, family friendly trail
Information: Take a leisurely walk on this user-friendly short trail with benches and picnic tables overlooking the pond. Watch for a variety of butterflies, waterfowl, and other colorful birds.
Mesquite Trail
Open Season: Open–year round
Length: 0.4 Miles (0.3 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Very difficult, because you need to add an additional 2.8-miles to get to the trail. Therefore, roundtrip is 6.4 miles.
Information: Southern Trail
Oriole Trail
Open Season: Open-year-round
Length: 1.2 Miles (1.9 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Very difficult, because you need to add an additional 1.8-miles to get to the trail. Therefore, roundtrip is 6-miles.
Information: Southern Trail
Owl Trail
Open Season: Open–year round
Length: 0.3 Miles (0.5 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Very difficult, because you need to add an additional 1.3-miles to get to the trail. Therefore, roundtrip is 3.2 miles.
Information: The Owl trail takes you straight to the ‘Cementerio Viejo”. The “Old Cemetery” is one of the most popular attractions. The cemetery contains about 30 graves, probably of workers or descendants of Benigno Leal, and a tomb constructed of hand-made bricks.
Pintail Lakes Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 2.0 Miles (3.2 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Difficult
Information: This trails winds around Pintail Lake, and part of the trail parallels the Rio Grande River.
Resaca Loop Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 1.4 Miles (2.3 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Very difficult, because you need to add an additional 1.7 miles to get to the trail. Therefore, roundtrip is 6.2 miles.
Information: Southern Trail
Tower Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.5 Miles (0.8 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Easy, family friendly trail.
Information: This short trail leads directly to Santa Ana’s unique attraction. Climb the 40-foot tower for a rewarding view of the surrounding habitat and amazing wildlife.
Vireo Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 1.1 Miles (1.8 km)
Surface and Difficulty: Dirt
Difficulty: Very difficult, because you need to add an additional 1.5 miles to get to the trail. Therefore, roundtrip is 5.2 miles.
Information: Southern Trail
Wildlife Drive/ Auto-tour loop
Open Season: Open-year-round
Length: 7.0 Miles (11.3 km)
Surface: Pavement
Difficulty: Very difficult because of length
Information: The auto-tour loop is the designated area for the nature Tram ride. On this ride you may see the various trails and main attractions at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can also ride their bikes on the tour loop.
Willow Lakes Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 1.6 Miles (2.6 km)
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Moderately difficult due to length
Information: This lush wetland attracts birds that depend on watery habitats for food and protection. Don’t miss the photo blinds, towers and canopy walk for wildlife viewing.
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