Visit Us

A family watching wildlife while on a walk.
Image Details

Change is constant at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Seasons, life cycles, and migrating animals make each visit to the refuge a new experience. There are a multitude of opportunities to connect with nature at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors are welcome to recreate on the refuge during daylight hours.

Activities

Hunting
Fishing
Birding
Photography
Ranger-led programs
Hiking
Boating - non-motorized
Boating - motorized
Biking
Horseback riding
Wildlife watching

Related Documents

Thousands of people come to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge each year to enjoy various wildlife recreational activities. We encourage visitors to utilize the resources below to help prepare for their visit.

A map of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.
Name
Wheeler NWR Map
PDF
An image of the cover for the refuge brochure.
Name
Wheeler General Brochure
PDF
An image of the cover for the bird brochure.
Name
Wheeler Bird Brochure
PDF
An image of the cover for the hiking and biking brochure.
Name
Wheeler Hiking and Biking Guide
PDF
An image of the cover for the canoe and kayak brochure.
Name
Wheeler Canoe & Kayak Guide
PDF

Other Facilities in the Complex

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Wheeler Complex.

Gray bats flying under tree canopy outside of Sauta Cave
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a 264-acre Refuge located west of Scottsboro, Alabama. The refuge provides protection for the federally endangered Gray and Indiana bats, and their crucial habitat.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Three healthy Indiana bats huddled in a cave
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Home to the largest wintering colony of gray bats in the US, Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect this endangered species.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Watercress Darter fish in the water
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge, located in Bessemer, Alabama, was established to provide protection for the endangered watercress darter.
National Wildlife Refuge
Anniston,AL
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Located southwest of Florence, Alabama, Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge protects the only known population of the endangered Alabama cavefish.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Cahaba River
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, located in Bibb County, Alabama, was established for the purpose of protecting and managing a unique section of the Cahaba River and land adjacent to it.
National Wildlife Refuge
An image of a Prairie Warbler perched in a tree.
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge's primary purpose is to enhance, manage, and protect the unique mountain longleaf pine ecosystem in northeast Alabama.
National Wildlife Refuge
Anniston,AL

Locations

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
(256) 350-6639
3121 Visitor Center RoadDecatur,AL35603
Wheeler NWR Visitor Center
Image Details
Hours
Visitor Center Hours: March - October
Tuesday-Saturday
9 am - 4 pm
Sunday-Monday
CLOSED - Visitor Center buildings and grounds closed.
July 4
CLOSED - Visitor Center buildings and grounds closed.
Visitor Center Hours: November - February
Tuesday-Saturday
9 am - 5 pm
Sunday-Monday
CLOSED - Visitor Center buildings and grounds closed.
Thanksgiving Day
CLOSED - Visitor Center buildings and grounds closed.
Christmas Day
CLOSED - Visitor Center buildings and grounds closed.
New Years Day
CLOSED - Visitor Center buildings and grounds closed.
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Administrative Office