San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

Gaze across the rippling marshes and ponds of San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and it's easy to imagine Texas as it was before settlement. Clouds of snow geese in winter or a warbler "fallout" in spring further convince any visitor that they have stepped back into early Texas. The refuge includes bottomland forest units scattered across the flood plains of the Brazos and San Bernard Rivers. These units provide an important sanctuary for migratory songbirds throughout the year. The public is welcome at several locations across the Refuge, providing opportunities to encounter marsh, prairie and forest ecosystems. However, much of the refuge is closed to the public, leaving a vast landscape as wildlife sanctuary. Yet, a drive on the 9.4-mile auto tour or hike on one of the many hiking trails can take up a full day's worth of wildlife watching.