ENTIRE AREA CLOSED: Sept. 1-Apr. 28. Call (903/389-7080) for special permission. Minimally you'll need a Limited Use Permit to be on the Wildlife Management Area property. See below for details where to purchase these.

This is a large swath of old growth forest. As you enter the Management area, you'll see an open space. This is great for Eastern Bluebirds and grass habitat sparrows. The pond at the bottom of the hill on the edge of the woods has teal and other dabblers in the winter. There's a record of nesting Least Grebes on this pond. It's also a spot for Anhinga in the summer and a Bald Eagle hanging around in the late winter. These woods have many nesting warblers and buntings. If is wet in the woods be on the look out for Wood Ducks. They usually see you before you see them. At 0.9 miles is the first sharp turn northeast (left) This corner is one of the best locations to hear Swainson's Warbler. Good luck seeing them.

At 1.45 miles there will be a road to the left. This road soon reaches an open parking area. There's a pond on the far left that can have a few dabblers, Belted Kingfisher, Prothonotary Warblers in the summer.

Back on the main road continue left. You'll be getting into more ball moss in the oak trees where Northern Parula love to nest. Get used to their sound they'll be everywhere. At 2 miles you'll come to a long slew on the left, look for night herons, and Wood Storks, through here. At 2.75 miles is a low wet area near an out of view pond to the left. This is a great spot for Prothonotary Warbler as well. At 3.1 miles you'll come to a utility easment that collects water. Another good spot for night herons, Wood Storks and even Roseate Spoonbills.

The end of the road is an open parking area, with a little open area adjacent to it. A good location for woodland eastern sparrows. Also a good place to get a view of woodpeckers, Acadian Flycatcher and Great Crested Flycatcher.

Always be on the lookout for Barred Owls even during the day. In migration you could have Solitary Sandpipers in small pools. Rusty Blackbirds are usually present in the winter.

Onsite registration is required for all visitors. General public access to the Area is during daylight hours through designated legal entry points only and only by APH or LPU Permit. Advanced written permission of area manager is required for equestrian use. For entry from Sept. 1 - Apr. 28. call (903/389-7080) for special permission.

Many Texas Wildlife Management Areas are open for activities such as biking, primitive camping, birding, fishing, hiking, equestrian activities, driving tours, and wildlife viewing.

Many times you need minimally a Texas Limited Public Use Permit (LPU - #175). You can purchase a Limited Public Use Permit or Annual Public Hunting Permit at any location that sells hunting licenses or at the Texas License Connection. If purchased online a representation of receipt is acceptable until official printer version has been mailed to you. In some cases it's not obvious when you need a permit for a Texas Wildlife Management Area so it might be better to be safe, because Texas game wardens do check for such permits.

The Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (RCWMA) was named for Richland Creek, a tributary to the Trinity River, which flowed through the property prior to the construction of Richland-Chambers reservoir. Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area was created to compensate for habitat losses associated with the construction of Richland-Chambers Reservoir. The Area is owned and managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The mission of RCWMA is to develop and manage populations of indigenous and migratory wildlife species and their habitats and to provide quality consumptive and non-consumptive public-use in a manner that is not detrimental to the resource.

Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area is located in an ecotone separating the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie ecological regions and the Area lies almost entirely within the Trinity River floodplain. The Area is subject to periodic and prolonged flooding. Average annual rainfall is 40 inches. Soils consist primarily of Trinity and Kaufman clays. These bottomland soils are highly productive and support a wide array of bottomland and wetland dependent wildlife and vegetation communities.

Vast bottomland hardwood forest communities characterized by cedar elm, sugarberry, and green ash dominate the area. Honey locust, boxelder, and black willow are also common. Pockets of bur oak, shumard oak, overcup oak, water oak, willow oak, and native pecan also occur. The understory is dominated by hawthorn, cat briar, poison ivy, and rattan with shade tolerant grasses and forbs comprising the herbaceous layer. Large non-forested areas also occur and are characterized by diverse herbaceous communities.

The vast bottomland hardwood forests serve as nesting and brood rearing habitat for many species of neotropical birds. The Area has numerous marshes and sloughs, which provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl, wading birds and shore birds, as well as diverse aquatic life.