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Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX

Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorOutdoor AdventureLocal Gem

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

1 Wildlife Circle · Austwell, TX

Why you should go…

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 and covers more than 115,000 acres of Texas coastal grassland, oak thicket and marsh. It is the wintering home of the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes. From the visitor center you can follow a paved 16-mile auto tour loop past an observation tower, walk short trails, or fish from the pier. Keep watch for roseate spoonbills, herons, alligators and collared peccaries.

  • #wildlife refuge
  • #whooping cranes
  • #birdwatching
  • #auto tour
  • #gulf coast

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    USS Lexington Museum

    $25–$50

    Walk the flight deck of a World War II aircraft carrier on Corpus Christi Bay and explore the ship on self-guided tours.

    50 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Texas State Aquarium

    Under $25

    The largest aquarium in Texas, focused on Gulf Coast marine life and wildlife conservation, on the Corpus Christi bayfront.

    50 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    Corpus Christi

    Free

    Official tourism guide to Corpus Christi, Texas, covering Gulf Coast beaches, hotels, and attractions.

    57 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing