Find Hotels Near Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Orange Beach

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Orange Beach, Alabama is a 7,000-acre refuge that was established in 1980 to protect a number of the area's unique wildlife species. Located on the Gulf Coast between Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores, the refuge includes five distinct ecosystems: longleaf pine forests, coastal dune vegetation, freshwater marshes, tidal salt marshes and maritime hammocks. It is home to over 300 species of birds, making it an ideal location for birding enthusiasts to observe some of the most beautiful birds in the world.

The refuge has a wide variety of habitats, including grassy dunes, wetlands and woodlands, which provide invaluable habitat for many animals and plants native to the area. The endangered Alabama beach mouse can be found here along with other threatened species such as gopher tortoises and eastern indigo snakes. Many different waterfowl can also be seen at Bon Secour including ospreys, herons, brown pelicans and snowy egrets. The refuge also serves as an important stopover on their migratory routes for many songbirds during spring and fall migration seasons.

The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is open year-round from sunrise to sunset with no entrance fee required. A few trails are available within the refuge while guided tours are offered seasonally by U.S Fish & Wildlife personnel. Walking tours are available year-round as well as kayak tours during certain times throughout the year. The refuge also offers various educational programs such as summer camps and school field trips where children can learn about local ecology first-hand by observing wildlife up close in its natural habitat.

The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge provides visitors with opportunities to explore nature in an inviting setting while learning about conservation efforts aimed at preserving these valuable habitats for future generations to enjoy. With its diverse array of wildlife species and scenic beauty it remains one of the most popular destinations along Alabama's Gulf Coast region.