America’s Amazing National Wildlife Refuge System

National Wildlife Refuge Week is coming to an end, but there are four seasons of outdoor and educational activities to participate in at the over 550 national wildlife refuges. Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees an incredible 150 million acres of public lands, allowing visitors to fish, hike, hunt, paddle, and observe wildlife within the pristine sanctuaries. Many of the locations have great visitor centers to learn about the refuge and activities available before setting out on your adventure.

National Elk Refuge (Wyoming) – Located just outside of the cowboy town of Jackson, the wildlife refuge is home to thousands of elk that roam freely across the 24,700-acre sanctuary. With such a large area, the elk are not easily visible year-round, but their impressive antlers are collected from the reserve and added to the four arches located in Jackson’s town square.

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge (Florida) – Located along the coastal waters of Southwest Florida, the wildlife refuge preserves and protects the world’s largest mangrove systems. The park is also home to a diverse variety of wildlife, including around 200 species of fish and a similar number of birds, including white pelicans.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska) – Located in the northeastern portion of the state, the wildlife refuge measures 19,286,722 acres within the Alaska North Slope Region. The largest and one of the most remote refuges in the system, it offers adventurers a chance to see polar bears, grizzly bears, and black bears, as well as caribou and a diverse variety of birds.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (Hawaii) – Located along the rocky cliffs on the northwest coast of the Hawaiian Island of Kauaʻi, this is one of the most photographed wildlife refuges. The Kīlauea Lighthouse, a deactivated beacon high above the Pacific Ocean, is a favorite subject.