Facility Activities

Hunting, fishing, birding, and photography are some of the many ways to enjoy the refuge.

Auto tour

The refuge auto tour is approximately 22 miles long.   Stop at any point along the way and enjoy wildlife watching, fishing, historic sites and much more.  Interpretive and educational panels are found at each of the eight designated stops.  Go at your own pace and be sure to...

Birding
From bald eagles to spoonbills, from condors to puffins, birds abound on national wildlife refuges. Refuges provide places for birds to nest, rest, feed and breed making them world-renown for their birding opportunities.
Boating - motorized
Boats provide the best way to see many refuges. Some refuges limit the use of motorboats to certain areas, subject to restrictions on engine size.
Boating - non-motorized
Many Fish and Wildlife Service sites make great destinations for flatwater canoeing or kayaking. Some sites have concessions that rent canoes or kayaks. Some sites offer scheduled paddle tours. See individual refuge websites for details.
Dog walking
Many sites do not allow dogs because they can disturb wildlife. Refuges that do allow dogs generally require that they be leashed. Some sites allow hunters and sledders to bring dogs.
Fishing

Available species are largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, sunfish, walleye, crappie and channel catfish. Refuge waters include 1,900 acres of Foss Lake (8,000 acres) and the Washita River. Fishing season is year-round from the bank; from boats, it is restricted to March 15-October...

Hiking

Washita National Wildlife Refuge has walking trails located at Centennial Trail Recreation Area, Riverside Recreation Area and Owl Cove Recreation Area.

Hunting

Sitting in field blinds at Washita National Wildlife Refuge, hunters eagerly await dawn as thousands of geese lift off nearby Foss Lake. Each fall, 50,000 to 100,000 geese can be found on the refuge. These include Canada, snow, white-fronted and Ross’s geese, all of which may be hunted during...

Photography
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.
Picnicking
A few sites allow picnicking at designated areas.
Wildlife watching
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.