The Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is home to thousands of migratory birds, wildlife and plants that are native to the area in North Central Texas.   The refuge is over 12,000 acres, and provides habitat as migratory birds stop on their long-distance travel and provides winter habitat for other birds.

Located 75 miles north of Dallas, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Central Flyway, one of four super highways for migratory birds.   Hagerman provides both wetlands and blackland prairie with hardwoods providing great diversity for wildlife and plants. Expect to also see river otters, turtles, raccoons, bobcats, white-tailed deer, coyotes, armadillos, possums, and fox squirrels.   Explore the beautiful spring and summer wildlfowers at the refuge.

The Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge has many kid-friendly activities. At the visitor’s center, spend some time outdoors in the butterfly garden.   Butterfly docents are available at certain times to learn more about the butterflies. The refuge has a wonderful indoor kid-friendly educational area as kids can feel animal footprints, hear bird calls and learn about the wildlife at the refuge. Refuge Rocks is the Hagerman’s youth program, with a different topic each month. We registered for this free program and the kids had a raccoon book read to them, made a raccoon puppet, did a raccoon activity, made a raccoon footprint to keep, and got a raccoon costumed visitor!   The Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is committed to getting kids interested in wildlife and as conservationists for the future of the refuge.

Hagerman Wildlife Refuge provides miles of roads for viewing animals from the car, several walking trails, or take a free 90 minute guided open-air tour on a tram (ages 6+).  The specific birds visitors see will depend on the season, but expect to see hundreds to thousands of birds throughout the visit. The kids will recognize geese, sandpipers, ducks, egrets, great blue herons, pelicans and eagles.

Bring a picnic lunch and find tables, restrooms and bank fishing in several areas. Other activities include fishing, hiking, bicycling, kayaking and canoeing. See website for specifics.

Blue goose passports can be purchased at the wildlife refuge and stamped as a record of your visit. There are 576 national wildlife refuges across the United States that make up 95 million acres of land.   It’s a fun incentive for kids to visit wildlife refuges and get their stamp checked off.  There are 18 national wildlife refuges in Texas.

Know before you go:

• Reserve tram in advance since seating is limited.
• Bring binoculars for closer viewing.
• Bring a picnic lunch since no food or restaurant is immediately nearby.
• Wear athletic shoes for walking trails.
• Bring your Blue Goose guide for stamp (or purchase one at the visitor’s center).
• Bring your camera.
• Stop by the visitor’s center first to pick up a map and list of birds to identify.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Bring sunscreen, and insect repellant.

Special needs:

• The Harris Creek Trail is accessible.
• The visitor’s center has great hands-on activities, and the Refuge Rocks program is all-abilities.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
6465 Refuge Road
Sherman, TX 75092
(903)786-2826
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Hagerman/ for refuge general information www.friendsofhagerman.com for specifics on activities