Last Updated on 24 July, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Home to 450 plant species, 417 different bird species, 130 butterfly species, 45 types of mammals, 44 different reptile and amphibian varieties, and 40 species of fish, Laguna Atascosa is one of the most diverse wildlife refuges in the world! 

It’s no surprise that people want to come and enjoy this beautiful strip of land at the southern tip of Texas.

At Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, you can enjoy:

1. Birding & Wildlife Viewing
2. Hiking
3. Biking
4. Camping
5. Hunting & Fishing
6. Driving to Osprey Overlook
7. Boating
8. Ranger-led programs

If you’re looking for the best way to spend your time in Laguna Atascosa, I’ve got you covered! This article will dive into each activity and cover all there is to know about this wonderful slice of wildlife paradise in the Rio Grande Valley of Southern Texas.

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About The Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tells us that Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR) was established in 1946 and encompasses around 110,000 acres, including 60 miles of hiking and biking trails and thousands of acres of freshwater lakes and wetlands.

If you love the outdoors, this is the place to be! The Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset.

You’ll find Laguna Atascosa NWR at 22817 Ocelot Road, Los Fresnos, TX, 78566. There is a $3 entrance fee that can be paid at the self-pay station at the visitor center.

Why Is Laguna Atascosa Worth A Stop?

Any place designated for wildlife and the restoration of nature is special, but at Atascosa, there are a few things that make it extra special and worth a stop in your travels.

• Ocelot: The largest population of Ocelot in the United States is located at LANWR. It is also home to one of only two breeding populations of this small wildcat. The Ocelot is just one of a few endangered species that call this Refuge their home.
• Waterfowl: Each year, Atascosa plays host to thousands of migrating waterfowl, neotropical songbirds, and falcons.
• Birding: LANWR is a highly attractive birding destination. The refuge boasts the most recorded species of birds of any National Wildlife Refuge System!

Even if you’re not quite in your bird-peeping years yet (don’t worry, they’re coming), there’s still plenty to do at this beautiful destination, from hiking and biking to hunting and fishing. 

If you can only stop for a few minutes, it’s worth it to go to the Visitor Center and check out all the informational signs, taxidermy animals, and huge turtle shells.

8 Best Things To Do At Laguna Atascosa

When you arrive at Laguna Atascosa, you might be wondering where to start. The best thing is to head to the visitor center to glean some information from their friendly staff, grab a map, and then head out to do one of the following activities!

1. Birding and Wildlife Viewing

One of the top things to do at LANWR is to bring a set of binoculars and head out to view the birds and check out the wildlife. There’s no shortage of either one! A bird checklist is available upon request at the Visitor Center.

The best time to view wildlife is in the morning, before 9:30 am, or in the evening, after 4:30 pm. 

Below are the best places to view birds and wildlife in the Refuge:

• Visitor Center: Three bird feeder stations are set up around the visitor center with blinds to sit behind and observe. There are also a handful of trails around the visitor center to observe green jays, chachalacas, orioles, and olive sparrows, to name a few.
• Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive: Open to hiking and biking only, this 14.2-mile loop takes you past 5 different lakes, making it a prime location to spot birds and wildlife.
• Osprey Overlook: A fantastic place to spot shorebirds and raptors. During the migration season, as many as 20 different species of waterfowl can be spotted.
• Gator Pond Trail: A mix of paved and dirt trail takes you to a gator observation deck after 0.3 miles.
• Lower West Lake Trail: A scenic 6-mile dirt trail that takes you through diverse coastal prairies, lakes, brushy lomas, and freshwater wetlands. An excellent trail to spot wildlife, birds, and raptors.
• Kidney Pond Trail: A 2.5-mile dirt trail. One of the best places to spot baby alligators. Just be sure to watch out for mama alligator, too!
• Southern Boundary Trail: A short, 0.8-mile dirt trail that is a fantastic place to spot bucks, pigs, and other mammals.
• Moranco Blanco Trail: A 1.5-mile dirt trail that is excellent for bird watching

If you don’t have binoculars, rentals are available at the visitor center. Or, if you want to purchase your own beforehand, check out the Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars, which are lightweight with rugged housing, making them great travel binoculars.

2. Hiking

Hiking is one of the best ways to truly take in the beauty and majesty of Laguna Atascosa. With boots on the ground, you can observe wildlife, view the diverse plants, and forget your troubles with fresh air and birdsong.

There are over 60 miles of hiking trails at LANWR, spread across 20 different trails. Distances range from a leisurely 0.3-mile walk to an all-day 14.2-mile adventure.

Here are some of the top trails to try while visiting Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge:

• Visitor Center Trails: The Mesquite, Kiskadee, Fiddlewood, and Metalmark Butterfly Trail are all short, ADA-accessible trails around the LANWR visitor center. These are great for beginners and still offer plenty of bird-viewing opportunities.
• Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive (14.2 miles): Despite the name, this trail is only open to hiking and biking. It loops around the large Pelican Lake as well as other smaller lakes and offers access to Redhead Ridge Overlook, which looks out onto the Laguna Madre.
• Prairie Trail (4.1 miles): A hardpan trail in the southwest corner of the Refuge that offers classic South Texas landscape views. This is a great trail for beginners as it’s flat and open.
• Lower West Lake Trail (6 miles): Very scenic trail that circles Laguna Atascosa Lake. Expect to see wildlife!
• Horse Island Trail (3.7 miles): Beautiful Views await at the end of this dirt trail that squeezes between a lake on the west side and Laguna Madre on the east side.
• North Point Trail (3.5 miles): This trail begins near Horse Island and ends at a spectacular viewpoint of Laguna Madre and the surrounding water sources.

Before heading out on a hike, head over to our day hiking gear checklist to ensure you have everything you need to conquer the trails!

Hiking in South Texas can be brutal in the summer. Be sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. Many of the trails are completely exposed with little to no shade.

3. Biking

Another fantastic way to experience the Refuge is by bicycle. Biking allows you to cover more ground in less time than hiking, but not all hiking trails allow biking, so you’ll have to weigh this and maybe combine biking and hiking while here!

Most of the hiking trails in Laguna Atascosa are open to biking, but there are a few things to be aware of:

• Tires: Wide tires are recommended to traverse the gravel, dirt, and hardpan trails.
• Cacti: Carry extra tire tubes, slime, tube shields, and repair kits in case you run over a thorny plant.
• Etiquette: Yield to hikers on trails. When biking on roads open to traffic, ride with the flow of traffic.
• Service: Cell phone coverage is spotty in the Refuge. If you break down, be prepared to walk your bike out.

Make sure to pack a multi-tool in case you need to work on your bike when you’re miles away from your vehicle. As always, pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent as well.

4. Camping

While the Wildlife Refuge doesn’t have a campground, the nearby Adolph Thomae, Jr. County Park is within the borders of the Refuge and has a spectacular campground with full hook-ups for RVers and excellent tent pads for tent campers.

• RV Sites: 35
  • Price: $30/night
  • Includes: water, electric, sewer
  • Vehicle limit: Most sites can fit 40ft; some can fit 50ft.
• Tent Sites: 15
  • Price: $20/night

All sites have a picnic table, and some are located right on the Arroyo Colorado. Up to 2 pets are welcome at each campsite, so go ahead and bring the furbags along! Online reservations can be made through Firefly Reservations.

5. Hunting and Fishing

If you’re looking for a true backcountry hunting experience, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is a premier destination. Hunting must be done by walking on foot down trails and through the refuge, as there are very few roads throughout the units that allow hunting.

There are four main species to hunt at LANWR: alligator, feral hog, nilgai antelope, and white-tailed deer. Hunting is only allowed through a draw system and only in specific units, such as the Bahia Grande Unit.

Fishing is mostly done at the Adolph Thomae, Jr. County Park along the Arroyo Colorado or the Laguna Madre. Typical species are speckled trout, red drum (redfish), flounder, snook, and tarpon.

Shell fishing is also available on the shores of the county park.

6. Osprey Overlook

Osprey Overlook is located about 1.5 miles from the Visitor Center down Lakeside Drive, the only trail that allows vehicles. The road is a bumpy gravel road, but the views at the end are worth it!

The overlook looks out on the 3,500-acre Laguna Atascosa Lake. A small pavilion with informational signs can be found at the overlook, as well as a very spacious parking lot.

Several trails are nearby, such as Gator Pond, Scum Pond, and County Trail. The overlook is right at the parking lot, so you won’t have to walk far to reach this stunning destination.

7. Boating

Both motorized and non-motorized boats can launch from the Adolph Thomae Jr County Park into the Arroyo Colorado. Note that there is a fee to enter this county park, typically varying from $3 to $5 for a day-use pass.

The boat launch is located at the end of the paved road after entering the park. The lot is very spacious and offers enough room for vehicles towing trailers with boats. There are two boat ramps at this lot, as well as restroom facilities.

8. Join A Ranger-Led Program

Laguna Atascosa offers various ranger-led programs throughout the year. One of the most popular is the Ocelot Conservation Festival, an annual event that highlights the importance of protecting the endangered ocelot.

Other programs include:

• Wildlife & Nature Tours: Explore the various habitats across the Refuge with a friendly, informative ranger guide.
• Birding Tours: Ranger-led program showcasing the diverse species of birds that call Laguna Atascosa home, even if it’s just for a flyover.

The visitor center is a great place to start. There, you’ll find the dates of ranger-led programs, some of which occur each day at a certain time and interval.

Bringing Pets To LANWR

For those of you who travel with your pets (*raises hand*), you’ll be happy to know that pets are welcome at Laguna Atascosa. Pets are permitted on all trails, but must be on a leash. Keeping your pet on a leash protects fragile wildlife like the endangered ocelot, the endangered Northern Aplomado Falcon, sea turtles, and the Gulf Coast Jaguarundi, among others.

Wildlife can also negatively interact with your pet. Javelinas, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and ocelots may pose a risk to smaller dogs. Pets (except for service animals) are not allowed inside buildings.

Hunting takes place primarily in the northwestern areas of the Refuge. If hiking in these areas, be sure to keep your pet close and wear bright colors during hunting season.

Check out our dog hiking gear list to ensure your pup has everything they need to enjoy a day at LANWR!

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge: Wrap-Up Session

If you’re looking for a place to spend a day or two in South Texas, head to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. This beautiful stretch of preserved land has some of the most diverse lists of plants and animals and offers stunning views of classic Texas landscapes.

To recap, here are the 8 best things to do at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge:

1. Birding & Wildlife Viewing: Hike or bike the trails to experience the wildlife and various shorebirds and raptors.
2. Hiking: Over 60 miles of hiking trails can be found at the Refuge.
3. Biking: Remember to bring repair kits for tires due to spiny cactuses.
4. Camping: RV and tent sites are available at Adolph Thomae Jr County Park.
5. Hunting & Fishing: Fishing can be done at the County Park, while hunting is permitted on a drawing basis right within the preserve. 
6. Osprey Overlook: Look out on the 35,000-acre Laguna Atascosa freshwater lake.
7. Boating: Motorized and non-motorized boating is permitted at the Adolph Thomae Jr County Park. Just remember that there is a small entrance fee into the park.
8. Ranger-led programs: Various programs run throughout the year, the most famous being the Ocelot Conservation Festival.

If you travel with furbags like us, you’ll be happy to know that Laguna Atascosa is pet-friendly. Dogs are welcome on all trails; just remember to keep them on a leash to protect them and the wildlife.

Until next time, give your pup an extra pet from us, and keep exploring this beautiful world. For more destination guides like this, head over to the Dirtbags with Furbags blog.