Activities & Attractions

Famed as principal wintering ground for near-extinct whooping crane, refuge is on broad peninsula about 12 miles across bay northeast of Rockport. Passenger boats carrying from 25–90 people are narrated by self-taught ornithologists who identify birds along the way. Administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as refuge for protection and management of various species of wildlife. Some 400 species of birds — Canada geese, pintail ducks, American wigeons, sandhill cranes and more — have been recorded. Other inhabitants include alligators, white-tailed deer, javelina and raccoon. Sight-seeing, nature observation, hiking and photography permitted along designated public-use roads, trails and at observation towers; also picnic areas. Most rewarding time to view wildlife, including whooping cranes, is November–March, when greatest numbers of species are at refuge. Refuge is open daylight hours. Wildlife Interpretive Center features mounted specimens, slide show on whooping cranes, literature. Open daily 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission fee. Refuge headquarters, about 35 miles northeast of Rockport via Texas 35 north; F.M. 774 east, and F.M. 2040 south. 361/286-3559.

One of the best ways to view wildlife is from boats in the Intracoastal canal. From early November through early April, boats from the Rockport Harbor and Fulton Harbor cruise past tidal flats and salt marshes (where many species may be seen) into the whoopers' habitat. Fares vary.