Opportunities for outdoor recreation draw millions of people each year to national wildlife refuges, boosting local economies. Many visitors enjoy hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing or nature photography. Others take part in heritage sports such as hunting and fishing. All these activities offer visitors a chance to unplug from the stresses of modern life and reconnect with their natural surroundings.

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Our sites span all 50 states and five territories. Some places offer things to see and do year-round. Others are season-specific. Time of year often will influence what you can see or do. Dawn and dusk generally are the best times of day to see wildlife.​

Events

Wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries host numerous conservation-oriented programs, festivals and events throughout the year.

Fees

Most places are free. A handful charge a nominal entrance fee. Sometimes fees or permits are required for specific activities such as hunting, camping or fishing. 

Recreate Responsibly

To help ensure that wildlife and people thrive, please recreate responsibly.

Find a Refuge Near You

Ways to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved at any facility in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Learn about the ways you can help out at your local refuge.

Partnerships

The Fish and Wildlife Service enters into agreements with a wide range of organizations at the national, regional, and local levels.

Youth Programs

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) enjoys a proud history working with a range of youth organizations to help young people develop academic, leadership, and citizenship skills.

Outreach

Since 2010, the National Wildlife Refuge System has embarked on strategically and collaboratively addressing the mounting challenges faced by conserving America's wild plants, fish, animals and their habitats in our rapidly changing world.

Learning Opportunities

Outdoor Learning provides you with links to fun facts and info you can use for every trip to our refuges. 

Latest Stories

Solid red bird perched on branch
Migratory Species
Migratory Birds to Benefit from More Than $24 Million in Funding Throughout the Americas
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing more than $24 million in funding has been approved for grants through the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act for conservation projects to benefit migratory birds and people throughout the Americas.
A container filled with plastic hair curlers that have birds stuffed inside
Wildlife Crime
Partnering to stop songbird smuggling
This spring, an individual who has repeatedly engaged in songbird smuggling received the strongest sentence of anyone to date for finch smuggling. The Service is stepping up efforts to stop serial smuggling, and working with partners to better understand demand to get at the root of the issue.
A group of mussels on sea floor.
Wildlife Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Supports Boaters and Clean Waterways Through Clean Vessel Act Program
Recreational boaters and the nation’s waterways will benefit from more than $16 million in grant funds, thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program. Since the program’s inception in 1993, these grants have improved pump-out stations and waste reception facilities...
Light purple, five-petal flowers with yellow center on a branch with green leaves.
Endangered Species Act
$62.5M for Endangered Species Recovery Planning
Today, on Endangered Species Day, the Department of the Interior announced a $62.5 million investment from the Inflation Reduction Act to help plan for endangered species recovery efforts.
A turtle sticks its head out of as suck it's been stuffed inside
Wildlife Crime
Keeping turtles safe from illegal trade
Conservationist Jeff Corwin teamed up with the Service and partners to raise awareness about threats to America’s native turtles and tortoises, including illegal collection. Join Jeff in the field to track eastern box turtles and learn how you can help keep them wild.
boat with service employees electrofishing with multiple fish jumping out of water
Science and Technology
Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Offers up to $100,000 for Novel Conservation Solutions
The public can now help reimagine what drives wildlife conservation in the 21st century by participating in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize competitions, which open for entries today.

View All Stories

Activities at Refuge Facilities

Accessible trails
Alaskan subsistence hunting and fishing
Archery
Auto tour
Backpacking
Beach combing
Biking
Birding
Boating - motorized
Boating - non-motorized
Camping
Climbing
Cross-country skiing
Cultural heritage
Dog sledding
Dog training
Dog walking
Earthcaching
Education programs
Firewood cutting
Fish viewing
Fishing
Fly fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Hunting
Ice fishing
Off-road vehicles
Painting and drawing
Photography
Picnicking
Ranger-led programs
Running
Shed antler collection
Shell fishing
Snorkeling and scuba diving
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Trapping
Wild edible foraging
Wildlife watching

Upcoming Events

Spokane Audubon member and long term refuge volunteer gets a rare opportunity to hold her Chapter's mascot - a northern pygmy owl.
Image Details

View the upcoming events at our national wildlife refuge facilities.

Public Meeting
Alaska Co-Stewardship Talking Circle, Virtual Meeting
What will we do at the Talking Circles?

Share, Listen, and Plan:

 What Tribal leaders have to say and what federal partners have heard about co-stewardship.  Examples of how co-stewardship is happening in AK today.  How Tribal leaders and...
Southern Alaska Fish and Wildlife Field Office
Northern Alaska Fish and Wildlife Field Office
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge
Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Innoko National Wildlife Refuge
Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge
Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge
Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge
Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Region Headquarters
Virtual Meeting
Great Bay NWR Bus Tour

Get behind the scenes for a bus tour of Great Bay NWR. Meet at Great Bay NWR at 10:45am, or ride the bus up from Parker River NWR departing at 10am. 

Registration required at: bit.ly/parkerriversignup 

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Parking Lot
Youth Fishing Rodeo

Calling all kids from ages four to fifteen! Whether you're new to fishing or an experienced angler, join us for the  Bogue Chitto Youth Fishing Rodeo,"

When: Saturday, June 10, 2023.  Reserve your spot starting April 25.

Where: at...

Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge Fishing Pond
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