Wonder what it’s like to pitch a tent under the stars? Unplug and tune in to nature – at least for a few days?
Maybe now is the time to get away and camp out
Learn more about the National Wildlife Refuge
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Some National Wildlife Refuges from Alaska to Florida offer rental cabins or campsites in a variety of natural wildlife settings. Here is a sample of these opportunities
The National Wildlife Refuge SystemOperated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it preserves America’s wildlife and the places they need to survive, providing unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities for all Americans.
Alaska
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Want to pack a tent in the wilderness? Would you rather stay in an RV? Kenai Refuge has it all. The refuge has over 120 RV and tent sites. free camping Available year-round in the Skylake Lake area and on the Swanson River and Swan Lake Trails. You can reserve one from the shelter 14 cabinsor you can try your luck in one of the two available cabins on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tatlin National Wildlife Refuge
The shelter has two camps Along the Alaska Highway which opens as soon as the roads are cleared of snow (usually in April). Campgrounds stay open until mid-fall, usually October, while the roads are still passable. Six general use cabins They are available throughout the year when they are not being used by employees for management activities. Call the Asylum Office at 907-883-5312 to obtain permission to stay for up to 14 consecutive days. A lottery system has been put in place for the fall moose the hunt The season (generally from late August to mid-September) is when demand is particularly high. The drawings for the stag season are held a year ahead of the October date.
Georgia
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Kayaking in the beautiful and mysterious swamp of Okefenokee Refuge, a protected area
Learn more about the wilderness area
, is the experience of a lifetime. Crocodile slides through tea colored water. Herons and egrets wade through tall grasses and water lilies. You can reserve one Seven night shelters Available in the swamp. Make reservations up to two months in advance by calling 912-496-3331 Tuesday through Thursday, 7-10 a.m. ET. Learn about permit requirements Recreation.gov.
Paddling to a campsite isn’t the only way to spend the night in Okefenokee. Stephen C Foster State Park, located within the refuge, offers cabins, camper vans, and a tent. For visitors from outside the area, this is a great place to stay the night before a canoe camping trip.
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge, in central Georgia about 25 miles north of Macon, allows camping and open fires in designated campgrounds along with its big game and turkey. hunting (pdf). The refuge also allows Scout groups to camp when they are working on a service project outside of the hunting season. a Permit to seek shelter Required to enter.
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Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Hikers can apply to use one of the primitive camp sites available along the refuge’s 56-mile strip in Florida National Scenic Trail, which pass through two designated wilderness areas. Campers should commit to hiking the entire refuge portion of the trail, which runs through a greater variety of forests and wildlife habitats than any other North Florida section of the trail. The path follows a series of dams that were built to provide fresh water to the thousands of waterfowl that wintered here. Hikers may also see osprey, otter, turkey, alligator, fox and some of the more than 300 species of birds found here; 98 species of birds nest in St. Marks Refuge. A must have for hikers Florida trail permit.
Illinois
Crab Grove National Wildlife Refuge
Walnut oak forests cover more than half of the 44,000-acre refuge, while 20 percent is open water. Here you can find hiking trails, nesting bald eagles (best seen in winter), elusive bobcats, and a thriving population of wild turkey. Summer is the perfect time to see and hear songbirds. Autumn brings large numbers of white-tailed deer. four camps The refuge, including the Crab Orchard Campground, is open from April 1 to October 31. Grills are available. The electrical systems and sewage systems have been upgraded.
Maine / New Hampshire
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
Stretching over northern New Hampshire and into western Maine, the refuge includes extensive wetlands that are vital for waterfowl. In 1972, part of the wetlands at Harper’s Meadow was designated as a floating island
Learn more about the National Natural Landmark
. Shoreline camps Operated by the state of New Hampshire. Camping by reservation only. For information, visit State parks website Or call 603-482-3906.
Montana
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Enjoy the stunning scenery in the far wilderness. Trumpeter pelicans reside all year round. Poplars and willows turn golden in fall. The sanctuary maintains two types of primitives campswithout electricity. Lower Lake Campground has restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings and is the best place to watch waterfowl. Both camps are available for a small fee on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware: Grizzly bears are found in all areas of the refuge, including forests, willows, grasslands, wetlands, and shorelines of lakes and streams. Carrying bear spray on your person and knowing how to use it is highly recommended.
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Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Without fees camping It might be the best way to enjoy this 1.6 million acre sanctuary in southern Nevada. The refuge encompasses six major mountain ranges, and teems with wildlife, including more than 500 species of plants. The land has been home to indigenous people for thousands of years. Look out for collared lizards basking on the rocks, some 320 species of birds, or elusive mountain lion tracks. Here are some Tips for seeing great desert manatees. Six primitive campsites are available on a first come, first serve basis. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and tent. Vault toilets are available. Bring your own water.
Oklahoma
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
It is known for its reproduction of bison, elk, wild turkey and some of the best rock climbing In the area, the refuge offers a choice of camping and options. For group reservations at campsites, call the Visitor Center at 580-429-3222.
Washington
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1937 to protect migratory birds, the sanctuary includes
Learn more about salt marshes
forests, freshwater wetlands, streams, grasslands, coastal dunes, and beaches. More than 200 species of birds nest, rest or winter here. Salmon, Roosevelt elk and more than a dozen amphibian species are also residents. On Long Island, an oasis within the sanctuary, you can find Five primitive camps With a total of 20 campsites, these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring, and access to a nearby non-flushing toilet. During high tide, the island is only accessible by boat or kayak.
