In March 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first wildlife refuge in the United States, Florida’s Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, to protect the breeding grounds for brown pelicans. At the time, the brown pelican’s feathers were in high demand for women’s fashion, and the species was heavily hunted. Today more than 570 wildlife refuges exist across the country. While these refuges provide habitat protection for many, many animals, they also provide benefits for plants and humans. Here are some of the top wildlife refuges located near our campgrounds:
Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge (Gulf Shores, AL)
In French, the words bon secour mean safe habitat so it makes sense that the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge located in Alabama’s Gulf Shores provides just that for neotropical migratory songbirds as they travel each spring and fall. In fact, the refuge contains portions of the last remaining coastal barrier habitat in Alabama. Additionally, sea turtles nest along these shores. Four designated hiking trails plus the rolling sand dunes make this worth a visit.
(Nearest campground is Gulf Shores RV Resort)
National Key Deer Refuge Center (Big Pine Key, FL)
Unique to the Florida Keys, the Key deer are the smallest sub-species of white-tailed deer found in North America. They were originally hunted for food by native tribes, early settlers, and passing sailors. Hunting Key deer was banned in 1939, almost two decades before the National Key Deer Refuge Center was opened in Big Pine Key. In addition to the Key deer here, the refuge is also home to more than 20 endangered plant and animal species.
(Nearest campground is Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina)
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (Wells, ME)
Established in 1966, the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge provides protection to salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Visitors here can see piping plovers, saltmarsh sparrows, great blue herons, snow egrets and the New England cottontail, a medium-sized rabbit native to the area.
(Nearest campground is Thousand Trails Moody Beach)
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (Olympia, WA)
With a mission to provide a habitat for migratory and overwintering waterbirds, visitors to this Washington State national wildlife refuge can also view both Mt. Rainier on a clear day and see species including sea ducks, eagles and seals. The refuge also provides a protected habitat for steelhead trout and certain species of salmon.
(Nearest campground is Thousand Trails Chehalis)
Read More:
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- Cooler weather keeping you inside? Stop into these cool museums…
- RV tip, courtesy of Wisco flip: here’s how to update the flooring in your RV
- Explore the Thousand Trails Camping Pass and the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass
- Find more campgrounds at ThousandTrails.com.
