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Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Information and Map

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Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Information and Map U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Information and Map Welcome to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge We invite you to drive our 16-mile auto tour, fish off our pier, stop at our Visitor Contact Station, walk up our observation towers, and relax and enjoy a picnic overlooking San Antonio Bay. Take time to stretch your legs along several miles of walking trails. You’ll find observation platforms, spotting scopes, diverse plants and wildlife, and stunning views of the bay and wildlife habitat. The trails are listed below in the order you encounter them along the auto tour loop. Trails Rail Trail (.3 mile) Waterbirds, from rails to bitterns, lurk in the reeds lining Tomas Slough. This grassy trail parallels the long, narrow A whooping crane catches a blue crab. © Kevin Sims pond that is home to alligators as well. Alligator Viewing Area (<.1 mile) Dagger Point Trail (1 mile) Take a short walk up the ramp and look Rules and Regulations Hike a winding trail through an oak/ • Observe speed limit of 25 mph and for alligators in Tomas Slough, one of the red bay forest. One of the few hills on the watch for wildlife crossing roadways. few freshwater resources on the refuge. refuge offers an excellent vista. On sunny days, you may see an alligator • All vehicles must be street legal and basking on the bank. Listen for frogs Jones Lake (< .1 mile) remain on designated roadways. calling and look for fish swimming in the A very short, paved walkway leads to a water. platform overlooking the lake, another • Feeding animals is prohibited. potential alligator hangout. The water in Heron Flats Trail (1.4 miles) this lake comes entirely from rainfall. • No alcohol is permitted. Freshwater sloughs, shell ridges, oak forests, and tidal flats make this trail Big Tree Trail (.7 mile) • No littering. Please take your trash quite diverse. You’ll find two observation Encounter some of the refuge’s largest with you when you leave. platforms equipped with spotting scopes. live oak trees along this woodland loop. If you’re lucky, you might see a whooping • Bicycles are permitted on the paved crane family feeding in the marshy salt tour loop only (no trail riding). flats. Watch, too, for egrets, roseate Observation Towers spoonbills, pelicans, and possibly a In addition to crane watching, the two • There is no camping on the refuge. raccoon. * Please note that this trail will observation towers (20’ and 40’) offer a not make a loop. panoramic view of San Antonio Bay and Mustang Lake. • Pets must be kept on a standard (4-6 foot) leash at all times. Songbird Loop (0.1 mile) Listen to a spring songbird serenade as Both towers are fully accessible with Keep in mind that the refuge is wild, and you wander this short woodland loop. gently sloping ramps. you may encounter venomous snakes, alligators, and biting insects. Please stay Oak Sanctuary (.1 mile) One-way Loop (driving only) on marked trails and use caution. Walk this short trail towards San This 9-mile loop takes you through Antonio Bay and experience the mystery diverse habitat. Please note that it is one- of a 500-year old oak tree. What might way, and will take at least 45 minutes. Enjoy your National you find hiding in its branches, or Wildlife Refuge! seeking its shade? The oak is covered in mustang grapevine. Map of Refuge and Vicinity 2040 Victoria Port Lavaca Rail Trail 77 239 35 Tivoli 239 Rail Trail Austwell Alligator 774 2040 Viewing Area Refugio Heron Flats Trail 35 Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Songbird Loop 13 Trail Rockport Matagorda Island Fishing Access Heron Flats Trail Visitor Center Year Round Restrooms Oak Sanctuary Trail Viewing Area Picnic Area Trailhead Auto Tour Loop Youth Environmental One way traffic Kayak Launch Training Area (permit required) Fishing Access Wetlands San Antonio Bay Refuge Land Dagger Point Trail Two way traffic Jones Lake Observation Deck Big Tree Trail One way traffic Jones Lake Fishing Access April 15 - Oct 14 Observation ic aff tr Towers ay w e n O Auto Tour Loop North 0 0.5 1 Kilometers 0 Mustang Lake 0.5 1 Miles.
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