Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge

The Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge is renowned as one of the top birdwatching destinations in the United States, especially during the spring migration. Thousands of warblers and other passerine migrants travel nonstop from the Yucatan Peninsula to this part of Texas, where they stop...

From your car, from your boat, or on foot, the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful place to be with diverse and abundant wildlife. The hiking trails are an excellent place to observe small migrant birds.  The butterfly garden is great to catch lepidopterans in all...

The refuge offers excellent saltwater and freshwater angling and crabbing opportunities. Six miles of shoreline along East Galveston Bay are accessible by boat or wade fishing. The South Unit provides access to the...

The meandering bayous of Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge cut through ancient floodplains, creating expanses of coastal marsh and prairie along Galveston Bay in southeast Texas. These coastal marshes and prairies are host or home to an abundance of wildlife, from migratory birds to...

Shoveler Pond is a 2.64 mile paved loop with six pull-offs and a .14 mile boardwalk that extends into the pond. During the spring and summer months, shoveler pond is a great place to see egrets, herons, ibis, roseate spoonbills, alligators, and many other animals. The fall and winter months...

Photograph from one of our trails listed on the "Visit Us" page or from your car.  If photographing from your car, please be considerate and pull to the side of the road to allow others to pass.

While combing the beach at Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge's South Unit, beware of nesting birds and sea turtles. All areas of concern are marked in advance of nesting season. Visit the South Unit Information page for more details.

Most of our trails are relatively short. The Live Oak Trail at the Skillern tract is approximately a 2 mile round trip and Shoveler Pond is a 2.64 mile loop.

Shoveler Pond, the main entrance road, and the Skillern Tract road are all great places to bike and view wildlife. Visit the Skillern Tract Viewing Platform and the Boardwalk trail for breathtaking views, but please walk your bike on trails and while in close proximity to pedestrians.

East Bay boat ramp and Oyster Bayou boat ramp are both accessible from the main entrance to the wildlife refuge.  This leads to access of Oyster Bayou, Onion Bayou, and all of the Galveston Bay system.  

Boating inside the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge marsh is...

There is water access at East Bay boat ramp and Oyster Bayou boat ramp, but the most common place for canoers and kayakers to launch is down Frozen Point Road where there is access to the north side of East Bay.  Boating in inland waters is prohibited.

Dogs are allowed on all of our trails, but they must be leashed.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff host numerous environmental education activities for homeschool, public, and private elementary and middle schools in the area as well as field trips for local universities.  Contact us for more information about scheduling an event with us or to inquire about...