Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Category: Wildlife refuge

Address: 1 Wildlife Cir, Austwell, TX 77950, USA

Phone: +13613491181

Opening hours

Sunday: 6:45AM–7:30PM

Monday: 6:45AM–7:30PM

Tuesday: 6:45AM–7:30PM

Wednesday: 6:45AM–7:30PM

Thursday: 6:45AM–7:30PM

Friday: 6:45AM–7:30PM

Saturday: 6:45AM–7:30PM

Reviews

Mark Benson

Mar 24, 2022

This was a wonderful place to go for the day and hike some trails with my 6-year-old daughter and wife. Saw a lot of alligators and some very huge ones on the heron flats trail. Went on a few other trails including the observation tower, which is really cool. Above the tree canopy where you can feel the full force of the wind. You really could spend all day there enjoying the trails and hiking. Lots of birds, Saw javelina right away as we entered the park. Can't wait to go back.

N V

Mar 4, 2022

We stopped by the refuge on our way back home from Rockport, intending a couple of hours but ended up staying most of the day. Beautiful place. We went in the first week of March so the weather was cool, no mosquitos and hardly anyone there. Perfect! We took several hiking trails, as well as walking along the boardwalk and observation deck area. The boardwalk continues into a long and a short hiking trail too. There's restrooms at the picnic and observation tower areas, but just toilets only, no running water. If you're in a regular vehicle just take a jug of water to wash your hands. We saw gators, cranes, egrets, pelicans, deer, pigs and a lot of other wildlife. Visited their 400 year old oak that looks amazing. They also have a 9 mile auto tour loop that gives a great perspective of how these shallow marshlands protect the inland areas. The auto tour sign has a vehicle size limit of 25 ft long x 7 ft wide x 8 ft tall but there were no clearance issues with our 9 ft tall van. What they're essentially telling you is not to drive your 35 ft bus through there. Lots of fishing if that's what you like, but for us rv travelers its a wonderful stop. We ended having a late meal in their picnic area before hitting the road. Quiet and serene sitting under the oaks looking out at the bay. They're also finishing a visitor center that looks pretty nice, with gift shop etc. Highly recommended if you're anywhere in the area.

Meital Heber

Dec 30, 2021

The refugee has Many trails and viewing points. We saw cranes, egrets, pelicans, seagulls and herons. Lot’s to see- You can spend the whole day there.

Traveling With Spice

Jun 17, 2021

You can easily spent a day here, we took most of the walking trails and viewing towers. This place is known for Whooping Cranes migrating from Canada. Take the walking trails through alligator swamp, you will see plenty of them, if you are taking unpaved trail, better watch out for alligator. Keep your eyes open..

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Questions & Answers

Is this a good place to go squatching?

Jeff F | Jul 2, 2018
Michael Cerda | Jul 3, 2018

We don't have any that are permanent residents. We have what we call Winter Squatch. They come down during the cooler months.

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Is fishing allowed? Can y9u drive up to places to fish?

George Gannaway | Jul 1, 2021
Julio Salinas | Jul 2, 2021

Yes, one fishing pier by the main park road. Best go on high tide.

How the fishing from the pier. Will the alligators eat me if I wade in? 2-20

Dana Hicks | Jul 1, 2020
Tonja Cumbaa | Jul 2, 2020

They might and some of them are big,when they finish you off then the armillado will get you.lol a very nice place for nature😎

Is park pet friendly

Linda Betels | Jul 1, 2020
Donna Fiarkoski | Jul 2, 2020

For the safety of your animal you definitely want on a leash.

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Can i hunt deer or hogs here? What licence do I need other than a texas hunting license?

Annie Thompson | Jul 2, 2019
Aaron Schrag | Jul 3, 2019

You can hunt. It's a lottery system though. You will have to buy the texas aph permit then apply for that hunt

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Hi is this area pet friendly

Linda Wright | Mar 3, 2022
Robert Tyrone | Mar 4, 2022

Yes, on leash, we took our Black lab mix with, she had a great time!

Is there a public draw for deer and how shooting a few pigs?

Bill Horner | Oct 4, 2021
j yo | Oct 5, 2021

I don't think so.

Is Aransas national wildlife refuge a national park

Rick Barkdull | Jul 1, 2021
Jake 12 | Jul 2, 2021

It is a great place to see wildlife, especially now while the whooping cranes are down

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When is the best time to see Alligators? Gone twice around 2 p.m. and no luck.

Joshua DeLaFuente | Jul 1, 2021
PMTasha B. | Jul 2, 2021

Hit and miss. We didn't see any while we were there from 1030 am to 3pm . Just be careful and stay on the course and trails and the observation decks!!

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Can we hunt there

D D (Bones) | Jul 1, 2021
Kailey Carlson | Jul 2, 2021

Hunting is offered through a lottery system. Please refer to: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Aransas/visit/activities/hunting.html

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What days and hours is the wildlife gift shop open

Robert Hemje | Jul 1, 2020
Robert Hemje | Jul 2, 2020

Is the gift shop open Mon-Fri during regular hours? I'm sorry but your reply doesn't make sense to me. Your shop isn't open at 1am. Can you be more specific?

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Where’s the best pier fishing in San Antonio Bay. Looking for cat, redfish, bass, crappie...even sunfishes. Just need steady action

rmcclana | Jul 1, 2020
Richard Buchanan | Jul 2, 2020

If I remember correctly they have only one fishing pier. And then I know for sure during the summer months you can wade fish

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where can i camp - near Aransas - i have a camper van. - also are there alligators - if not where could i see one thanks, kim

kim cushing | Jul 1, 2020
Fred Gibbs | Jul 2, 2020

Good park is Goose Island State Park, Lamar, TX, about 20 miles south near Rockport.

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Are there guided tours or interpretive programs?

Hollis Rickbeil | Jul 2, 2019
blaw _ | Jul 3, 2019

Negatory

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can i come here and camp? (bushcraft/survival practice)

Mitchell Knapp | Jul 2, 2019
Billy Dwight Edens Jr. | Jul 3, 2019

No.

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Should we pack a lunch (will be coming from San Antonio) or are there places to eat? Thanks!

Gretchen Leigh Willson | Jul 2, 2019
Justin Hamilton | Jul 3, 2019

Light snacks are available in the gift shop, but you'll need to pack a lunch. There are several picnic sites available.

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Are pets allowed?

Bradley Riley | Jul 2, 2019
Seth | Jul 3, 2019

On a lease, yes, but don't get upset if a gator makes a meal of your fuzzball. Be responsible and keep your pets close.

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Is this a good place to see a variety of different types of birds?

Tyler Pezet | Jul 2, 2019
eric cobourn | Jul 3, 2019

There be birds there

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Is my Bluebonnet pass good here

william wingate | Jul 2, 2018
Emily | Jul 3, 2018

Have been there multiple times for years. Have never heard of them using a bluebonnet pass. But it's free until they repair the damage from hurricane Harvey.

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What is the cost?

Bev on the Road RT | Jul 2, 2018
Mike Jones | Jul 3, 2018

$5 a head, unless you have the annual permit.

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Is the fishing pier still usable?

Ethan Downes | Jul 2, 2018
Tim Fredrickson | Jul 3, 2018

A few are but many have not been repaired.

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