Laguna Atascosa NWR--Buena Vista Blvd. (within refuge)

Tips for Birding

Stop only at designated pull-offs.

About this Location

From General Brant Road, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is 2.9 miles north on Buena Vista Boulevard. You enter the refuge a short distance after the turn. Stopping on the road is allowed only at a few pull offs. Speed bumps on the road help enforce the 25 mile-per-hour speed limit, designed to protect the refuge population of reintroduced ocelots. Stops at parking areas may yield observations of typical Tamaulipan thornscrub birds. 

About Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

See all hotspots at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

Laguna Atascosa was established in 1946 to provide habitats for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds, principally redhead ducks. Today, there is an expanded emphasis that includes endangered species conservation and management for shorebirds. The refuge is a premiere bird-watching destination with more recorded species of birds than any other refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The refuge is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. There is something for everyone, with over 60 miles of hiking and biking trails. Maps and a self-pay station are located on the right-hand side of the visitor center door. The refuge has five bird feeding stations and four water features around the visitor center. The visitor center trails are ADA accessible, and at 0.8 of a mile, with plenty of bird viewing areas, the trails are a birder's must! Once you get your birding in, take a beautiful scenic bike ride around the 14.2-mile loop of Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive (STWD). The only driving trail is Lakeside Drive. This trail will take you to Osprey Overlook; Osprey Overlook overlooks our 3,500-acre freshwater lake named after the refuge. There are multiple trailheads near this location, Gator Pond, Scum Pond, and County Trail. One of our most popular hikes is going south on the Gator Pond, turning east on Mud Trail, and then north on Scum Pond; this short 3-mile hike is excellent for every outdoor enthusiast.

Features

  • Entrance fee

  • Roadside viewing

  • Restrooms on site

Content from Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Official Website and Chuck Hundertmark

Last updated December 12, 2023