Urban national wildlife refuges work with community partners to expand outdoor recreation and education for Americans living in and around cities. They strive to dismantle historic barriers to access and make all visitors feel welcome. The 101 urban refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are all located within 25 miles of population centers of 250,000 people or more. Urban refuges are part of the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program.

An image of a baby sea turtle crawling towards seafoam.
Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge
Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge stretches across 20.5 miles of beach and shoreline habitat between Melbourne Beach and Wabasso Beach along Florida's east coast in Brevard and Indian River Counties. The refuge was designated to protect habitat at the most significant area for loggerhead sea...
National Wildlife Refuge
Vero Beach, FL
Sunset in the C Impoundments at A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 145,000 acres of land where visitors can reconnect with nature.
National Wildlife Refuge
Boynton Beach, FL
Puffer Pond at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge is one of the eight refuges that comprise the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge gives visitors unique opportunities to immerse themselves in nature with acres to explore, wondrous species to observe, and numerous year-round...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sudbury, MA
golden sunset over Back Bay
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southeastern corner of the City of Virginia Beach. The refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. Diverse habitats, including beachfront, freshwater marsh, dunes, shrub-scrub and upland...
National Wildlife Refuge
Virginia Beach, VA
Rolling hills full of grasslands and trees
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is home to many native Texas wildlife and plants, and was specifically established to protect the nesting grounds of the black-capped vireo and the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
National Wildlife Refuge
Marble Falls, TX
Bayou with forested edges
Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge in New Orleans is one of the last remaining marsh areas adjacent to Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne. The refuge contains a variety of wildlife habitats — including patches of bottomland hardwood forest, freshwater, brackish and estuarine tidal marshes,...
National Wildlife Refuge
New Orleans, LA
Swans at sunset on water surrounded by mountains at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge lies in northern Utah, where the Bear River flows into the northeast arm of the Great Salt Lake. On the ancestral homelands of the semi-nomadic Shoshone, Paiute, Bannock, and Ute people known as the Newe or Meme (the People), the Refuge protects the marshes found...
National Wildlife Refuge
Brigham City, UT
Three river otters swimming in marsh, only heads above water visible
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is a natural treasure on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain north of New Orleans, LA. The refuge has over 18,000 acres of freshwater and brackish marsh, bald cypress-tupelo forest, bayous, hardwood forest hammocks, and pine savannah. The refuge's marshes...
National Wildlife Refuge
Lacombe, LA
Graphic of state of Missouri with refuge units as green stars and headquarters as red star
Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Refuge staff work to restore natural floodplain conditions, including bottomland forests and its associated wetlands for the benefit of wildlife. We strive to provide public access to all areas for wildlife dependent recreation including hunting and fishing.
National Wildlife Refuge
Boonville, MO
misty morning over the freshwater ponds at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually refuge
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Olympia, Washington, is located where the freshwater of the Nisqually River flows into Puget Sound. The mosaic of different habitats found on the River Delta provide optimal conditions for diverse and abundant wildlife.
National Wildlife Refuge
Olympia, WA
View of tidal marsh and pine trees at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway.
National Wildlife Refuge
Cambridge, MD
Four blue wing teals swimming in a wetland together.
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was authorized in 1992 and established in 1997 to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat in and along the Missouri River. At Boyer Chute, the namesake side channel was restored after being blocked in 1937 to aid riverboat navigation. Following restoration...
National Wildlife Refuge
Fort Calhoun, NE
A group of waterfowl are shown resting in a marsh at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge.
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Incoming tides of the costal refuge combine life-giving nourishment from the Gulf with fresh river waters to create one of the most biologically rich environments in Texas.
National Wildlife Refuge
Freeport , TX
Loggerhead sea turtle hatchling in shallow surf heading to the ocean at Cape Romain NWR
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, extending 22 miles along the South Carolina Coast, is a rich mosaic of barrier islands with forest and ponds, vast salt marshes and intricate waterways. This diverse and dynamic system supports over 293 bird species and a myriad of other wildlife. Over fifty...
National Wildlife Refuge
Awendaw, SC
Sunrise over a wetland with pink and purple clouds reflected in the water
Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge has a fascinating history. From a famous hunt club to a refuge in 1964, it has provided habitat for a variety of waterfowl, bald eagles and plants for many years. The nearly 2,500 acres protect rare plants and habitats that aren’t found in other areas of Ohio.
National Wildlife Refuge
Oak Harbor, OH
A field of tall waving grass is visible in the foreground. Behind that, near the horizon, trees begin to appear, and behind them green mountains. The sky is blue with spectacular white clouds.
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established for the conservation of migratory birds and federal trust species, and the habitats they depend on. The lands and waters of the Cherry Valley have been widely recognized for their valuable natural resources. These include a diverse mosaic of...
National Wildlife Refuge
Stroudsburg, PA
A forest with an open understory, scraggly oak trees, and tall, straight pines
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve, protect and maintain healthy and viable populations of migratory birds, wildlife, fish and plants, including federal and state endangered species and trust species. The refuge restores, enhances and maintains the natural processes and...
National Wildlife Refuge
Knotts Island, NC
Badger at mound with dirt on its nose.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
In southwest Idaho’s Treasure Valley, surrounded by suburban homes and farmlands, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge provides refuge for both wildlife and people. The refuge protects the Lake Lowell Unit and the Snake River Islands Unit to provide oases for resident and migratory wildlife,...
National Wildlife Refuge
Nampa, ID
Desert Tortoise standing next to a blooming prickly pear cactus with pink flowers
Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Desert National Wildlife Refuge is the largest wildlife refuge outside of Alaska and protects the largest intact habitat for the Desert Bighorn Sheep in the Mojave desert.
National Wildlife Refuge
Las Vegas, NV
A larger flock of Canada geese in a wetland with some standing on a grassy shore or flying up into the air.
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Missouri River and borders both Iowa and Nebraska. Within its 8,365 acres lies DeSoto Lake, an oxbow lake that used to be a bend in the Missouri River. The refuge contains bottomland forests, tall grass prairie and wetland habitats that are...
National Wildlife Refuge
Missouri Valley, IA
Aerial view looking down on two kayakers in a marsh with lots of green aquatic vegetation on surface, green forest in background
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
The Detroit River has long served the United States and Canada as a vital transportation corridor and center for industries that helped forge the economies of both nations. As a result of this growth, the river and its ecosystem have paid a high price for human progress. Indeed, in our mind and in...
National Wildlife Refuge
Trenton, MI
White pelican flying over a marsh with a city in the background.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
In the heart of California's high-tech industry lies a wildlife oasis in an urban sea with 30,000 acres of habitat for millions of migratory birds and endangered species. Established in 1972 through local activism, the refuge provides not only critical habitat for threatened and endangered species...
National Wildlife Refuge
Fremont, CA
An American woodcock crossing the road
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
Each fall, like colorful clockwork, visitors are treated to a spectacular drama as millions of songbirds and monarch butterflies and thousands of raptors converge on their voyage south.
National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Charles, VA
Sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum) growing on the salt marsh.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 48,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats. More than 82 percent of Forsythe refuge is wetlands, of which 78 percent is salt marsh, interspersed with shallow coves and bays. The refuge’s location in one of the Atlantic Flyway’...
National Wildlife Refuge
Oceanville, NJ
An image of a loggerhead sea turtle digging a nest on a sandy beach.
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge was established in 1974 to protect the significant natural, historical, and cultural resources from the impending threats of development. Egmont Key NWR, located on a remote 250 acre island situated at the mouth of Tampa Bay, provides important habitat for nesting sea turtles, gopher...
National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River, FL
Beach stretches out toward Jessup's Neck Peninsula
Elizabeth Alexandra Morton National Wildlife Refuge
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge protects 187 acres on the north shore of Long Island’s south fork in the town of Southampton. The refuge is located near Sag Harbor, and includes a peninsula one and a half miles long, locally known as Jessup’s Neck, which separates Little Peconic Bay...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sag Harbor, NY
Four Wood storks in shallow impoundment at E.F.H. ACE Basin NWR
Ernest F. Hollings Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge
The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge, steeped in cultural history and natural resources, is located within the larger 350,000-acre Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin System, which represents one of the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystems remaining on the Atlantic Coast. The...
National Wildlife Refuge
Hollywood, SC
A view of the Occoquan River at Featherstone NWR
Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge is a 325 acre sanctuary of upland forest and freshwater tidal marsh, which provides critical habitat for migratory birds, wintering waterfowl, and a variety of mammalian species. Currently the refuge is only accessible by non-motorized watercraft.
National Wildlife Refuge
Woodbridge, VA
An image of a Florida Panther resting on the ground.
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
Located within the heart of Florida's Big Cypress Basin, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge protects core habitat for the endangered Florida panther and all native wildlife who roam within the apex predator’s habitats.
National Wildlife Refuge
Immokalee, FL
Vista of Bayou Heron, marsh grass and pine trees.
Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a study in transition. Here, the waterlogged wet pine savannas give way to the marshes, freshwater streams, and bayous of the Escatawpa River system. Slowly these fresh water systems system wind their way toward the Mississippi Sound and ultimately the Gulf of...
National Wildlife Refuge
Moss Point, MS
This is the homepage banner photo for Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1992, Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located along the eastern shore of New Hampshire's Great Bay in the town of Newington. The refuge protects more than 1,000 acres along the seacoast for migratory birds and other wildlife. It is one of the longest stretches of undeveloped...
National Wildlife Refuge
Newington, NH
Large cypress trees emerging from open water
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge contains some of the most important wildlife habitat in the mid-Atlantic region. At near 113,000 acres, the refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast swamp that once covered more than one million acres.
National Wildlife Refuge
Suffolk, VA
A wooden observation deck off of Weir Hill Trail
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, one of the eight refuges that comprise the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge is the complex headquarters and is broken into several units with two main units, the Sudbury unit and the Concord unit. These different units give...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sudbury, MA
Wetland at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located only 26 miles west of New York City’s Times Square. It is a 12-square-mile natural oasis in an area that is mostly suburban, making the refuge an outstanding area for migrating waterfowl to stop, rest and feed on their migration. Points of interest...
National Wildlife Refuge
Basking Ridge, NJ
Sunrise over Nippersink Creek
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge has been established since November 6, 2012. It all started with a generous 12 acre conservation easement donation and local support from community members. Located in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will serve to connect the dots of...
National Wildlife Refuge
Ringwood, IL
Genoa City, WI
A picture of Ringneck Marsh in the summer featuring a cloudy/sunny sky, water, green trees and shrubs, with a swallow in flight
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Located between Rochester and Buffalo, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has been described as one of the best kept secrets of Western New York.
National Wildlife Refuge
Basom, NY
Bright pink birds with round, spoon shaped bills wading in blue water
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order creating the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge in 1945 for the purpose of and in...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel, FL
Yellow-faced bee on a naupaka leaf
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Aloha and welcome to James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge! Part of the National Wildlife Refuge systems, James Campbell is a sanctuary for many species that are native and endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
National Wildlife Refuge
Kahuku, HI
Sun setting over James River
James River National Wildlife Refuge
James River NWR was established in 1991 to protect bald eagles and other species of special concern within 4800 acres of forests and wetlands. Management of these lands focus on conserving habitats to benefit and promote healthy populations of native plants and animals. The wildlife refuge provides...
National Wildlife Refuge
Charles City, VA
A saltmarsh sparrow perched on a reed
John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge
Many visitors are able to view the periphery of the refuge as they canoe or kayak the Narrow River. Although there is no refuge trail system, visitors can gain a vantage point of the refuge from the Middle Bridge pull-out and Sprague Bridge on Route 1A. Designated fishing access points also provide...
National Wildlife Refuge
Charlestown, RI
a flock of birds flying over a body of water on a refuge
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of lands set aside for the benefit of native wildlife and plants. Established in 1972 through local activism, the refuge protects habitat for the benefit of both...
National Wildlife Refuge
Philadelphia, PA
Sunrise view of cabbage palms surrounded by marsh
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Woodruff NWR was established in 1964 as a migratory bird refuge, part of five million-plus acres purchased by US Fish & Wildlife Service with proceeds from the Federal Duck Stamp Program. It is located in Volusia County, Florida near the community of DeLeon Springs. The famed St Johns...
National Wildlife Refuge
De Leon Springs, FL
Floor bed covered with salt and water surrounded by semi-covered cloud.
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established “… for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources…” 16 U.S.C. 742f(a)(4); “…for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities...
National Wildlife Refuge
Alamo, TX
mixed flock of ducks taking off from a wetland as a deer walks through
McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Nestled between the Blue Mountains and the plains of eastern Oregon, McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge is an aquatic oasis. Supporting a high diversity of wildlife, the refuge provides sanctuary to breeding and migratory birds in an otherwise arid and sparse desert environment. The refuge...
National Wildlife Refuge
OR
A bald eagle on a branch.
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Eighteen miles south of Washington D.C., on the banks of the Potomac River, lies a peninsula known as Mason Neck. Here, on February 1, 1969, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service created the first national wildlife refuge established specifically for the protection of our nation’s symbol, the bald...
National Wildlife Refuge
Lorton, VA
Flock of snow geese taking flight from farm field.
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
McNary National Wildlife Refuge is a welcomed respite for migratory birds, native plants and human visitors alike. The 15,000 acres of sloughs, ponds, streams and islands—riparian and wetland habitat—as well as upland shrub-steppe and cliff-talus habitat are important to migratory waterfowl,...
National Wildlife Refuge
Burbank, WA
Overlook at Middle Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge was established as an individual refuge on May 31, 2000. The refuge consists of seven island divisions that lie within the uncontrolled portion of the Middle Mississippi River, below the confluence with the Missouri River, where river levels are not...
National Wildlife Refuge
St. Genevieve, MO
Minnesota River in foreground with brown marsh grasses covered in fog in background.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a thriving urban refuge where nature connects people, communities and wildlife. Where diverse communities are welcomed through meaningful connections, educational opportunities and recreational experiences, while conserving wildlife habitat in the...
National Wildlife Refuge
Bloomington, MN
Carver, MN
Sunrise over the ocean with birds on the horizon at NPR Hobe Sound NWR.
Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge contains the largest contiguous section of undeveloped beach in Southeastern Florida and is considered one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the Southeastern United States.
National Wildlife Refuge
Hobe Sound, FL
Up close prairie flowers and tall grass.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 with the purpose to protect, restore and reconstruct and manage native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow. Prior to European-American settlement, tallgrass prairie covered 85% of Iowa. Today, less than 0.1% of...
National Wildlife Refuge
Prairie City, IA
Full length photo of Kettle Pond Visitor Center and the RI USFWS Headquarters.
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is one of five refuges of the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This refuge, the former Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Facility is located in Charlestown, Rhode Island. The glacial ice sheet and former uses have shaped this refuge's diverse...
National Wildlife Refuge
Charlestown, RI
A sunrise over a pond at Occoquan Bay NWR
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Twenty miles south of Washington, D.C., where the Potomac meets the Occoquan River, lies Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge: an oasis for migratory birds and busy city residents seeking a quiet escape from development.
National Wildlife Refuge
Woodbridge, VA
A tree curves out over the river, with long, serpentine roots clinging to the river bank
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 to protect, conserve, and restore habitat for wildlife native to the river and its floodplain. Refuge islands are gradually returning to forested conditions after years of farming, oil and gas extraction, and other activities....
National Wildlife Refuge
Williamstown, WV
Green visitor center building with orange sunrise reflected in the pond in front.
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1961, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge protects a network of wetlands, grasslands and forests to provide habitat for a variety of migratory birds, resident wildlife and threatened and endangered species. This network of land covers more than 8,000 acres and when combined with the...
National Wildlife Refuge
Oak Harbor, OH
Wetland area with water, trees changing color to red and yellow, sun rise and a fog over the wetland area.
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, located 40 miles west of Boston, is one of the eight refuges that comprise the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge gives nature enthusiasts various opportunities to enjoy nature with acres to explore, unique species to observe, and...
National Wildlife Refuge
Harvard, MA
Panoramic view of Mill Neck Bay
Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge was donated to the Service by the Town of Oyster Bay in 1968 as a habitat for migratory birds, particularly wintering waterfowl. The refuge is open to the public but is only accessible by boat.
National Wildlife Refuge
Shirley, NY
A woman, with her back to the camera, surveys an enormous green expanse of marsh. Small hills and a cluster of trees are visible on the horizon.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Located along the northeast coast of Massachusetts in an area of dense and expanding human development, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has special significance and value to migratory birds, other wildlife, and people. The refuge also provides high-quality opportunities for nature-based...
National Wildlife Refuge
Newburyport, MA
Carolina Wren
Patuxent Research Refuge
Created to conserve and protect wildlife and wildlands through research, Patuxent Research Refuge offers 13,000 acres of tranquil forest, meadow and wetlands amid a densely populated urban area. Countless birds, mammals, pollinators, amphibians, and more call it home. Immerse yourself in this...
National Wildlife Refuge
Laurel, MD
yellow-orange ilima flower
Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
Aloha and welcome to the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge! Part of the National Wildlife Refuge systems, Pearl Harbor is a sanctuary for many species that are native and endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
National Wildlife Refuge
Pearl Harbor, HI
Brown pelicans nest on top of a Red mangrove
Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
The Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge(NWR), was established in 1951 as a breeding ground for colonial bird species. Herons, cormorants, egrets, endangered brown pelicans and many more species use this quiet refuge for nesting. Tarpon Key, one of the islands making-up the refuge, hosts the largest...
National Wildlife Refuge