Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Offers Free Access to 44,000 Acres of Coastal Habitat

The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge protects about 44,413 acres of coastal marsh, freshwater wetlands, and prairie along the Texas Gulf Coast. The refuge sits east of Angleton and Lake Jackson near the Intracoastal Waterway. There is no entrance fee. The gate opens at sunrise and locks at sunset daily.

The refuge is part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and lies along the Central Flyway, a major migration corridor. November through January is prime for wintering waterfowl; spring and fall bring songbird migrations. Wildlife watching, hiking, photography, fishing, seasonal hunting, and boating are all permitted. The Big Slough Auto Tour is a 7.5-mile gravel route open to vehicles. The Big Slough Boardwalk is ADA accessible.

The refuge address is 2022 County Road 227, Freeport, TX 77541. A Discovery Center is open Friday through Sunday from November 1 through April 30, staffed by volunteers. Visit fws.gov/refuge/brazoria for current trail conditions, hunting season dates, and activity rules.