Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

The easternmost refuge in the Mississippi Flyway, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge provides an important home for Alabama's largest wintering duck population. While waterfowl may not be hunted here, the refuge does offer hunting opportunities for many popular game species. The deer herd is...

The refuge is open all year to fishing, with the exception of Garth Slough, which is closed November 15-January 14 to all public entry. Crabtree Slough, Dinsmore Slough and the White Springs Dewatering Unit are closed to all watercraft November 15 through the last day of February. The...

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge was established as a wintering area for migratory birds and continues this role today. It’s 35,000 acres provide a great diversity of habitats including forested wetlands, upland hardwoods, tributaries, swamps, impoundments, embayments, pine uplands, and...

Perhaps the fastest growing activity on national wildlife refuges in the past ten years has been wildlife photography. You don’t need to purchase expensive equipment or have any experience to get started. A small camera or basic cell phone will do just fine for most visitors. ...

Refuges provide unique and exciting outdoor classrooms – excellent locations for hands-on learning activities. The refuge staff, volunteers and Friends of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge offer educational programs to students of all ages. For lesson plans, additional materials...

One of the best ways to experience the refuge is to leave your car behind and start walking. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge has walking opportunities for all ages and abilities, including two accessible trails at the Visitor Center.  The refuge has five nature trails where bicycles...

Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities on the refuge. Wheeler NWR has 16,000 acres of water offering a multitude of places to paddle. Sloughs, creeks and the Tennessee River offer a variety of paddling experiences. The refuge has six improved launching areas and several unimproved ramps at...

Access to some areas of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is by boat only. The refuge has six improved launching areas and several unimproved ramps at various locations for smaller boats and canoes. 

Exploring the refuge roads on a bicycle is a healthy way to travel and with over a hundred miles of roadway, the opportunities are endless.  There are numerous road access points throughout the refuge.  Visitors, whether walking or on a bike, are allowed around closed gates except in...

Horseback riding is allowed on all roadways open to vehicles within Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.  Horses are not allowed behind any closed gates.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to view a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl, cranes, deer, amphibians and birds. During the winter, the refuge is home to thousands of Sandhill cranes and a small number of Whooping cranes.  Tens of thousands of ducks and geese also...