Facility Activities

Adult Rainbow trout at Erwin National Fish Hatchery.

View and feed the fish while visiting Erwin National Fish Hatchery

A White-breasted nuthatch perched at the base of a tree at Erwin NFH

Looking for a place to go birding? Erwin National Fish Hatchery is home to a variety of bird species

Nature trail at Erwin National Fish Hatchery

Brush up on tree identification and view wildlife on the nature trail

Fish viewing is available at a number of FWS facilities in the form of aquariums, tanks, and streams.
Many sites do not allow dogs because they can disturb wildlife. Refuges that do allow dogs generally require that they be leashed. Some sites allow hunters and sledders to bring dogs.
From bald eagles to spoonbills, from condors to puffins, birds abound on national wildlife refuges. Refuges provide places for birds to nest, rest, feed and breed making them world-renown for their birding opportunities.
While traditional geocaching (the burial or removal of "treasure") is generally not permitted at national wildlife refuges because it disturbs wildlife habitat, virtual geocaching may be allowed. In this variant, GPS coordinates lead to points of interest, such as cultural sites or exhibits, that participants can check off on a list.
A few sites allow picnicking at designated areas.
The Refuge System offers hundreds of miles of refreshing trails and boardwalks. Whether you want a short, easy walk or a challenging hike, you鈥檙e likely to find what you want. Some trails are paved and universally accessible. Some trails include displays on visual arts, local history and culture or environmental education.
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you鈥檒l find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you鈥檒l find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you鈥檙e after.
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.