Enjoy a Free Fall Outing at a National Wildlife Refuge This Sunday

This Sunday, October 11, entrance fees will be waived at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge them. The fee-free day falls during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 10–17, and offers a timely reason to see what a refuge near you has to offer.

The waiver covers entrance fees only. Some refuges are free year-round, and separate fees may still apply to permits, tours, or other activities. Check the refuge’s visitor page before you go.

Find a Refuge Near You

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages more than 570 national wildlife refuges, with at least one in every state. Search its refuge locator by state or location, then check the refuge’s page for hours, access, and available activities.

One refuge might have a short trail or boardwalk. Another might offer a wildlife drive, viewing platform, or visitor center. Some areas close seasonally to protect wildlife and habitat, so don’t assume every trail or facility will be open.

Let the Season Set the Pace

A refuge visit doesn’t have to involve a long hike or a checklist of species. Walk a short trail, watch from a viewing area, or take a slow drive on a designated wildlife route. Binoculars can help you see animals without getting close.

What you might see depends on the refuge and its habitat. Fall can bring migrating birds to some areas, while other visits may be more about changing leaves, a quiet shoreline, or the details along a trail. If bird migration is part of what you hope to see, our guide to fall bird migration explains what’s happening overhead this season.

Check Before You Head Out

Look at the refuge’s alerts and activity calendar before leaving. In addition to closures, some refuges have scheduled activities, including hunting, that may affect where visitors can go. Check whether pets are allowed, too. Rules vary by refuge, and some ask visitors to leave pets at home.

Bring water, dress for the weather, and consider binoculars. While you’re there, stay on designated trails, give wildlife room, and don’t feed animals. The Fish and Wildlife Service offers more wildlife-viewing tips.

The fee-free day is a useful nudge to try a nearby refuge, but the best outing is the one that fits the place and the people going. Confirm details on the refuge’s page, then leave time to look around.