Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

Trail
4.10 Miles
N/A
N/A
2stars (2.33)3
halfstar (0.67)
1point5stars (1.50)
Yes
N/A
Yes
No
Anahuac
Galveston
More Info
Photos
Gator
This gator was sunning out on the marsh. (Photo by Blaze)
Birds
These clever birds made some mud homes underneath the roof of a pavilion. (Photo by Blaze)
Another View Of The Trail
A long section of the trail is a boardwalk. (Photo by Blaze)
View Of The Trail
The Butterfly Garden is located in the area between the forked trail. (Photo by Blaze)
Cattle Drive
One of the last things I expected to see here was a cattle drive! (Photo by Blaze)
Refuge Sign
This is the entrance sign to the refuge. (Photo by Blaze)
Fishing Spots
There are a couple of fishing spots like this one along the bayou. (Photo by Blaze)
Another View Of The Trail
This short, paved concrete trail takes you out to a wooden observation deck. (Photo by Blaze)
Observation Deck
This deck provides a nice lookout over the marsh and is a great place to watch birds. (Photo by Blaze)
View Of The Trail
The trail is a lane of mowed grass along East Bay Bayou. (Photo by Blaze)
Entrance Sign
This is the sign to the Skillern Tract. (Photo by Blaze)
Log Entries
By eyeshigh on 4/16/2016
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

There were a lot of birdwatchers out and about, so we ran into groups more often than not, but the scenery was beautiful and serene, even with strong gusts of wind blowing us about. 

The Willows
By Blaze on 4/11/2014
Rating: 1star Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 1star
Distance: 0.70 Mile Duration: 15 minutes

The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge are large tracts of land set aside for the wildlife.  There is a large variety of birds in the wetlands, so it is a popular birdwatching spot.  Be careful, though, as there are snakes and alligators, too.  It is seen best by car tour, but there are some places to hike, too.

I walked the Willows Trail.  It's a short looping trail that is part boardwalk, part grass.  You walk through a nice butterfly garden and along some wetlands.  The mosquitos are really bad here, so use DEET!  I did not and I found myself being bitten left and right.

One interesting and unexpected attraction was a cattle drive that came through the area.  If you've ever seen one before, it's an memorable experience. :)

 

Skillern Tract
By Blaze on 4/11/2014
Rating: 1star Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 4 minutes

The Skillern Tract is a part of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, but separate from the "main" refuge where Shoveler Pond is (a little over 7 miles to the East).  There is a nice walking path, however, that takes you along the East Bay Bayou.  Be careful, though, as a saw a snake in the grass.  On my walk back to my car, I took the road as shown by my track file.

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