We welcome beginning and expert wildlife watchers! The Wildlife Drive is a great place to start. The open fields along the Wildlife Drive provide food and habitat for wildlife and an open landscape for viewing and photographic opportunities. Black bear, waterfowl and other birds, alligators, and more can be encountered.
Make sure to check the Current Road Status page before heading out. Please be mindful of your behaviors and actions at all times when on the refuge. On a National Wildlife Refuge, the welfare of plants and animals and their habitats come first. Follow these viewing guidelines:
- Use binoculars or a zoom lens to view wildlife from a distance—at least 100 yards or eight school buses.
- If wildlife approaches you, move back to stay 100 yards away.
- If animals react to your presence, you are too close.
- Don’t remain in one spot for a long time, so that wildlife has time to use that area without human presence.
- It’s illegal to feed, touch, tease, frighten, or intentionally disturb wildlife.
Be careful when driving to protect wildlife as well. Be sure to always follow the speed limits and watch for wildlife that may dart into the road. When you want to stop to look at wildlife, pull your vehicle to the side of the road, do not block traffic, and move on once you've gotten a look.
Commercial Guiding
Commercial uses on National Wildlife Refuges are restricted except by Special Use Permit. This includes offering commercial tours or private guiding for a profit. For more information on obtaining a Special Use Permit, please visit the Special Use Permits page.