Facility Activities

Chassahowitzka NWR has several activities available to visitors such as wildlife viewing, boating/paddling, fishing and photography. 

Visitors to the Refuge can paddle the calm, quiet Chassahowitzka River to view crystal clear springs and an abundance of wildlife. Fishing, crabbing, and shell-fishing opportunities abound in the estuaries along the Gulf Coast. Motorized boating along with air-boating make for exciting sightseeing adventures. Walk the paths and climb the tower at Salt Marsh Trails to get an up-close and bird鈥檚 eye view of the unique habitat which over 300 species of animals call home.  

Hunting

Twenty years ago, tens of thousands of ducks landed at Chassahowitzka NWR, making this one of the most important waterfowl refuges in the state. Migratory patterns have since changed, and today only a few thousand ducks land on the 31,000-acre refuge. Duck hunting has thus been very difficult in...

Fishing

The refuge is composed of approximately 30,500 acres of coastal wetlands, salt marsh and open Gulf. Fishing season is year-round, with closed harvest seasons for certain species. Freshwater species include largemouth bass and sunfish. Saltwater species include red drum, cobia, tarpon, spotted...

Photography

Tens of millions of people visit outdoor areas each year to photograph wildlife, and National Wildlife Refuges are at the top of the list. Chassahowitkza National Wildlife Refuge offers ample opportunities to photograph wildlife and scenic landscapes. From the Salt Marsh observation area,...

Camping

Camping is prohibited on the refuge. However, camping and boat rentals are available nearby. Please contact Chassahowitzka River Campground, a county park and recreation area, for more information call: 352-382-2200.

Birding

The refuge provides a place for approximately 250 species of birds, including double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, green herons, ospreys, white pelicans, and various species of waterfowl and songbirds are observed on the refuge. 

Hiking

Salt Marsh Trails - The property is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. It is a pack-in, pack-out (leave only footprints) property with no facilities. Enjoy the Salt Marsh Trails, BUT remember this is a wildlife refuge and not a park. There is room to ...

Picnicking

There is a large pavilion available at Salt Marsh Trails. It is available on a first-come-first-served basis. There are no facilities on site.

The pavilion and composting toilet located on the Chassahowiska River (accessible only by boat) were damaged by the 2024 hurricanes...