The 10 Best National Wildlife Refuge Hikes to See Animals

Meet some new furry (and feathered, and scaly) friends on these incredible trails throughout the lower 48.

Author:: Ali Wunderman
Publish date:: Jun 27, 2017

roseate spoonbill

roseate spoonbill

3 miles, Hookton Slough TrailCalifornia’s coast is teeming with wildlife, and Humboldt County has done a standout job of preserving their natural spaces, maintaining the legacy of its eponymous naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. Trails through the marshes and dunes in the Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge reveal shorebirds, birds of prey, and a litany of other marine species. Spotlight animals Stellar sea lion, migratory birds, Pacific tree frog

5.7 miles, Bison TrailThis wilderness jaunt isn’t for novice hikers, but those who can hack it will have the chance to witness some of America’s most iconic vertebrates. Reintroduced bison roam the rough terrain alongside burrowing owls, elk, and hunters, whose trails crisscross those meant for hikers. Spotlight animals Bison, wild turkey

4.1 miles, Shoveler Pond Loop Southeastern Texas is a veritable Eden for a wide variety of creatures. Alligators are common, as are various snake species and flocks of snow geese 80,000 birds strong. A boardwalk brings visitors directly into the heart of the Anahuac, where sights and sounds of the natural world abound. Spotlight animals Alligators, roseate spoonbills

Whether it’s spotting a bear munching on huckleberries, a mountain goat scaling some rocky precipice, or a snake slithering through the desert sand, seeing the trail come alive is an incomparable thrill—and there’s no better place to get it than a national wildlife refuge. Since President Theodore Roosevelt declared Florida’s Pelican Island the country’s first refuge in 1903, the system has grown to include more than 150 million acres. We combed through them all to pick the 10 best treks in the lower 48.

Want to help keep the thrill alive? This summer, the National Wildlife Federation is hosting the Great American Campout, an initiative that asks animal lovers to pledge to camp in support of wildlife. Join the pledge at the NWF’s site.

Phantom Falls, CA (Photo by Adrien Patane)

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