From the south parking area cross the bridge and go to the end of the trail where there is an overlook to a large pond that can have good numbers of waterfowl in the winter. In the summer Purple Gallinules and Least Bittern will breed here. From the parking area follow the trail north along the bayou for woodlands species. Birds along this trail are more typical of woodlands north of the refuge and species like Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, and White-throated Sparrow aren't expected elsewhere on the refuge. Anhinga can be found along the bayou.

Anhinga, Purple Gallinule, Least Bittern

This location has about a mile of trails along East Bay Bayou. There is parking at both the north and south end of the trail. The better birding is at the south end of the tract. Periodically the fields along the unit road are used for rice farming and can be good for shorebirds and waterfowl when wet.

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 to provide wintering and migration habitats for ducks and geese. We protect the coastal marsh for migratory and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, and waterbirds. The refuge is one of three refuges in the Texas Chenier Plain Wildlife Refuge Complex, and one of a string of wildlife refuges situated on the Gulf of Mexico. We are a designated Globally Important Bird Area, Monarch Waystation, and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site of International Importance. The 37,000-acre refuge is located on the Texas Gulf Coast just outside the Houston, Texas metropolitan area. 

There is no fee to visit the refuge. This refuge is very large and most of it is roadside accessible, however, there are also a few walking trails and a boat launch. As with most hotspots in this area, visitors should be adequately prepared for mosquitos and be alert for venomous snakes and spiders.