U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome: Stronghold America today. Despite a worldwide Walking Trails The bugle of an endangered whooping concern for their protection, the cranes If you can, take time to stretch your legs crane echoes across the far reaches of the still teeter on the brink of extinction. along several miles of walking trails. marsh. Only at Aransas National Wildlife You’ll find observation platforms, spotting Refuge do North America’s tallest birds At Aransas NWR, the elegant birds share scopes, diverse plants and wildlife, and find an enduring winter stronghold. the intracoastal waterway with oil tankers stunning panoramas of the bay. The trails and the potential threat of deadly spills as are listed below in the order you Here, too, pelicans, herons, egrets, well as the threat of natural disasters. encounter them along the auto tour loop. roseate spoonbills, ducks, and geese dine Fortunately, intensive efforts are in brackish waters and salt marshes underway to establish a new non- Rail Trail (.3 mile) teeming with fishes, blue crabs, and migratory flock in Louisiana, where the Waterbirds, from rails to bitterns, lurk in clams. On shore, javelinas, , and species once nested, and a migratory flock the reeds lining Tomas Slough. This deer wander oak woodlands. Alligators in the eastern United States. grassy trail parallels the long, narrow peer from still waters of ponds and pond that is home to alligators as well. sloughs. Ringed by tidal marshes and In fact, Aransas NWR hosts the largest Listen for the kuk-kuk-kuk of yellow- broken by long, narrow sloughs, this flock of wintering whooping cranes in billed cuckoos along the way. 115,000-acre refuge complex sprawls North America with over 250 birds. By mostly across the Blackjack peninsula, mid-April, they depart in pairs or small Alligator Viewing Area (<.1 mile) where grasslands, live oaks, and redbay family groups for a hazardous journey Take a short walk up the ramp and look for thickets cover deep, sandy soils. Storms 2,500 miles north to nesting grounds at alligators in Tomas Slough, one of the few and waters of the Wood Buffalo National Park in Northwest freshwater resources on the refuge. On constantly shape this vital refuge, home to Territories, Canada. sunny days, you may see an alligator over 400 different bird species. basking on the bank. Listen for frogs When and Where to Watch Cranes calling, and look for fish swimming in the Why So Many Birds? From late October to mid-April, crane water. Whooping cranes join throngs of other families feed in the saltwater marshes. migratory birds that settle on tidal Boat tours may offer the best views. Heron Flats Trail (1.4 miles) Freshwater marshes stretching before them like huge Often, you can see a family of whooping sloughs, shell ridges, oak forests, and tidal banquet tables. Strong winds push the cranes from the 40-foot Observation flats harbor both common plants, as well bay waters over low-lying shores, forming Tower, which is equipped with telescopes. as unique plant communities. You’ll find fertile, brackish tidal marshes among For commercial boat tour information, call two observation platforms equipped with short, salt-tolerant plants. Mild winters, the Rockport Chamber of Commerce at telescopes. bay waters, and abundant 1-800/242-0071. Additional birding If you’re lucky, you might see a crane food provide a winning combination for information is available from Port Lavaca family feeding in the marshy salt flats. water-loving birds. Brilliantly feathered Chamber of Commerce at 1-800/556-7678. Watch, too, for egrets, roseate spoonbills, songbirds—tanagers, painted buntings pelicans, and possibly a . and warblers—descend here on their Things to do at the Refuge *Please note that a portion of this trail (past journey north to breeding grounds after a You’re invited to take the auto tour, walk the 2nd observation deck) may be underwater. winter in Central America. the trails, fish off the pier, stop by our If so, this trail will not make a loop. Visitor Center, walk up the observation If you visit Aransas NWR in April or May tower, and relax overlooking Songbird Loop (.1 mile) just after a “norther” blows through, you Bay. Listen to a spring songbird serenade as might witness a songbird fallout. During you wander this short, woodland loop. such events, birdwatchers have counted Take a 16-mile Auto Tour Loop Look for painted buntings, black and up to 33 species in 15 minutes around the As you drive inland from coastal waters, white warblers, prothonotary warblers, Refuge Visitor Center. salty flats give way to freshwater ponds and summer tanagers. fed by rains. Alligators, turtles, frogs, Whooping Cranes: A Rare Splendor snakes, and birds find havens in ponds of Oak Sanctuary (.1 mile) “When we hear this call we hear no mere all sizes. Notice how slight changes Walk this short trail towards San bird. He is the symbol of our untamable in elevation help determine which plant Antonio Bay and experience the mystery past.” —Aldo Leopold communities exist. Bluestem and other of a 500-year old oak tree. What might prairie grasses dominate the grasslands you find hiding in its branches, or Once nearly extinct, whooping cranes you see rising above the marshes. seeking its shade? The oak is covered in appear to be on the upswing, from a low of mustang grapevine. 15 in 1941 to over 500 cranes in North Dagger Point Trail (1 mile) Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Hike a winding trail through an oak/ Refuge Entrance Gate To Austwell redbay forest. One of the few hills on the Public Use Area 2040 refuge offers an excellent bay vista. Boundary Frog Pond C 1I Alligator Jones Lake (< .1 mile) Viewing Area A very short, paved walkway leads to a Claude F. Lard Walking Trails MI(KM) Visitor Center I platform overlooking the lake, another 2 1 Rail Trail 0.3 (0.5) 3 potential alligator hangout. The water in 2 Heron Flats 1.4 (2.2) San Antonio Bay 3 Songbird Loop 0.1 (0.2) this lake comes entirely from rainfall. If Fishing the lake is holding water, look for great 4 Oak Sanctuary 0.1 (0.2) Pier Area QgLI 5 Dagger Point 1.0 (1.5) egrets, snowy egrets, little blue herons, 4 6 Big Tree Trail 0.7 (1.2) purple gallinules, and coots. You might even Youth Environmental see white-tailed deer swimming across the Entire Auto Tour 16.0 (25.75) Training Area Auto Tour (Special Permit lake. VC to Observation Tower 5.0 (8.05) Loop Exit Required) I Observation Platforms g Restrooms (Tower and Picnic Area) Big Tree Trail (.7 mile) I Fishing/Shoreline Access (April 15 - Oct. 15) 5 Encounter some of the refuge’s largest live Year-round fishing at Fishing Pier Area only. oak trees along this woodland loop that Two Way includes an observation platform with a spotting scope and stairs down to the bay Map of Refuge and Vicinity To To Port Victoria Lavaca shoreline. Loop N Tour Jones Lake 77 239 35 Viewing Area Walk up the Observation Towers Auto I In addition to crane watching, the two Tivoli 6 IL 239 observation towers (20' and 40') offers a Austwell 774 E panoramic view of San Antonio Bay and 2040 g To Refugio Refuge Mustang Lake. Both towers are fully Entrance One Way from tower Observation 35 Aransas Tower accessible with gently sloping ramps. National Wildlife Refuge San Antonio Bay

Relax in a Motte 13

An area with several picnic tables is NWR Goose Island Mustang Lake State Park nestled in an oak motte overlooking San To Gulf of Mexico Antonio Bay. This is one of the best places Rockport to view spring warblers. Set up a scope for the best views of shorebirds and waders Hunting - Bicycles are permitted on the 16-mile along the shoreline. Survey the bay for Archery and firearms hunts for white- paved tour loop only. No off-road waterfowl. tailed deer and feral hogs may be held in bicycle use is permitted. late fall or winter. Youth rifle hunts are - There is no public camping on the Come to the Visitor Center also available. Contact the refuge in early refuge. The Visitor Center offers refuge summer for information. information, exhibits, environmental - Pets must be leashed at all times. education, and wildlife programs. The Fishing Friends of Aransas and Matagorda Island Wade fishing access to San Antonio Bay is For Your Safety and Comfort: NWR’s operate a nature bookstore. The open April 15 - October 14 at the Fishing - Alligators and venomous snakes are center is open 7 days a week (October 15- Pier Area and Big Tree Trail. Kayak and present; watch your step. April 14) and Wednesday-Sunday (April canoe launching is permitted from these - Stay on trails. You may encounter ticks, 15-October 14) , 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. points April 15 - October 14. Year-round bees, chiggers, and poison ivy. We pier and wade fishing access are open at recommend insect repellent. Fee Schedule the Fishing Pier Area only. - The closest place for fuel is Tivoli (14 A recreational use fee is required. Visitors miles). You’ll find food, motels, and must pay fees and register each day. Fees Help Us Protect the Refuge campgrounds 35 miles away in Rockport, collected at the refuge are used to improve The Refuge Public Use Area is open daily Port Lavaca, and Refugio. There are also public use services and facilities. "America from 1/2-hour before sunrise to 1/2-hour RV campgrounds in Austwell (6 miles) the Beautiful" senior, annual, access, and after sunset. and at Hopper’s Landing (3 miles). active military passes, as well as Annual Aransas and Federal Duck Stamps are For your safety and protection, please accepted and available for purchase at the observe the following regulations: Visitor Center. For Further Information: - Observe speed limit of 25 mph and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge 18 years and under, entrance is free watch for wildlife crossing roadways. P.O. Box 100 $3 – one adult in a vehicle - All vehicles must be street legal and Austwell, TX 77950 $5 – two or more adults in a vehicle remain on designated roadways. 361/286-3559 $25 – commercial vehicle (van or bus) with - Feeding animals is prohibited. 361/286-3722 FAX up to 20 people - No alcohol is permitted. State Relay Service: 800/735-2989 $50 – commercial vehicle with 21 or more - No littering. Please take your trash with www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/ people you.