The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 to provide winter habitat for migratory birds, and is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses about 83,000+ acres in Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties, and includes about 43 miles of north Florida’s Gulf coast. Congress has designated 17,350 acres of the Refuge a National Wilderness Area.
Update - 05/25/2022

No lighthouse openings are planned a this time. The refuge remains open during daylight hours. Restrooms are available near the picnic area. All trails and the boat ramp are open. The Visitor Center is open Mon-Fri, 8-4, and Sat-Sun 10-5. Call 911 for an emergency. Call +1 850-925-6121 with questions. Entrance fee required. If you need to buy a pass, come to the Visitor Center. The Nature Store is now open Fri. 10-4, and Sat. and Sun. 10-5. If you can't come during those hours, you can still shop the store online. Call +1 850-925-6121 for information.

Take the necessary precautions and stay well!

Latest News

Four tan-black-and-white birds with long gray bills probing sand for food at the beach
Recreation
Where the Birds Are
For experienced birders and newbies alike, national wildlife refuges are wonderful places to see birds in natural habitat. Visitor services specialist Mike Carlo shares his mental list of refuges across the country that are well suited to people of varying birding experience.
A couple dozen white-ish gray birds standing in shallow water in a forested setting
History and Culture
National Wildlife Refuges Along the Trail of Tears
In the 1830s, the U.S. government forced tens of thousands of Native American tribespeople to move from their ancestral homes in the Southeast to present-day Oklahoma along what is known as the Trail of Tears. This story highlights several national wildlife refuges are situated roughly along that...
A graphic of light blue waves on a blue background
Our People
Passion for Conservation
Biologists Billy Brooks, Terry Peacock, and Miles Meyer have a combined almost 100 years of service with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. And they eagerly share their extensive reservoirs of knowledge and expertise with up-and-coming Service employees and potential employees.
Smiling youngsters use binoculars to look at birds at San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Recreation
11 Ways Wildlife Refuges Make Life Better
National wildlife refuges improve the quality of life for millions of Americans by boosting access to outdoor recreation, buffering storms, cleaning our air and water, and conserving wildlife. And that's just for starters.
A woman aims her camera at birds through a photography blind at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.
Recreation
Photo Blinds on Wildlife Refuges
These national wildlife refuges are among those with photography blinds or wildlife observation blinds.
An orange-and-black monarch butterfly sips nectar from an orange flower.
Wildlife Wonders
Five Super Stops on the Monarch Migration Trail
Every fall, monarch butterflies fly thousands of miles from as far north as Canada to overwinter in Mexico. There's great monarch viewing and tagging at several national wildlife refuges that they pass along the way. Here are some prime viewing spots.
View All News

Visit Us

St. Marks NWR provides numerous recreation opportunities to thousands of visitors every year. People enjoy viewing the unique geology and diverse wildlife. Regulation of recreation activities allow for public enjoyment of the refuge while still protecting the wildlife and habitats.

Location and Contact Information

      Violations on the Refuge

      To report violations on the refuge, call the refuge office - +1 850-925-6121. Or to report violations occurring on any National Wildlife Refuge or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-managed lands, you can call 1-844-NWR-TIPS (697-8477) or email NWR_Tips@fws.gov 24 hours a day. 

      Tours

      Take a drive down Lighthouse to get acquainted with the Refuge. The Lighthouse Road Drive Guide will tell you what you might see and look for.

       

      Our Organization

      Close up of a California condor. Its pink featherless head contrasts with its black feathers.
      We provide national leadership in the recovery and conservation of our nation's imperiled plant and animal species, working with experts in the scientific community to identify species on the verge of extinction and to build the road to recovery to bring them back. We work with a range of public...
      Program
      Baileys Crossroads, VA
      Smoke from a prescribed fire enters the sky.
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages fire safely and cost-effectively to improve the condition of lands while reducing the risk of damaging wildfires to surrounding communities. This balanced approach to fire management benefits people and wildlife.
      Program
      Green plains and a lake with a mountain range in the background.
      Wilderness areas are wild, undeveloped, federally protected areas where you can see wildlife in its natural habitat, enjoy adventure and unmechanized recreation, or just relish solitude. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages more than 20 million acres of Congressionally designated wilderness...
      Program
      An old stone A-framed building in a high desert landscape with an old mill next to it
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conserves more than just flora and fauna at America’s national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. As mandated under the National Historic Preservation Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service also conserves tens of thousands of archaeological and historic...
      Program
      Falls Church, VA

      Our Species

      The Refuge lists contain 44 species of mammals,  271 species of birds,  and 38 species of amphibians/reptiles. Some are resident and others are seasonal or occasional.

      Bald eagle
      Bald Eagle

      A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species

      Our Library

      You should view the publications before your visit. Please download/print the ones you need. That way you are prepared if the Visitor Center is closed or the supply is exhausted.

      general-brochure-2014-st-marks-nwr
      Name
      St. Marks NWR General Information Brochure

      General information about the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

      PDF

      Get Involved

      Volunteers at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge are an integral part of the staff. They assist with numerous projects ranging from wildlife inventories to presenting interpretive programs, and their help has been instrumental in the accomplishment of a number of refuge projects and activities.

      The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, formed in 1987, is the 501(c)3 non-profit friends group that supports the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in accomplishing its biological and educational objectives.

      Environmental Education Programs & Field Trips

      Attention School teachers, Homeschool groups and Scout leaders: Come to the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge for a FREE field trip! You can pick from one of our current education programs or our Environmental Educator can tailor your trip to fit what you are studying in the classroom. Each lesson incorporates a variety of hands-on activities into every program. Through multi-sensory experiences, audience interaction, fun animal bio facts and meaningful contact with Refuge Staff, all participants may experience a new awareness and appreciation for the natural world.

      Projects and Research