The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is an extensive 43,000-acre refuge with a varied habitat of salt grass prairies, mud flats, fresh and saltwater marshes and lakes, and salt cedars. These habitats make it a favorite for many species of coastal and migratory birds. Meanwhile, an auto tour, boardwalks, and air conditioned discovery center make it a favorite for Texas birders. Areas on the refuge to explore: Big Slough Boardwalk & Trail, Cox Lake Trail, Otter Slough Trail, Salt Lake Public Fishing Area, Teal Pond, Olney Pond, and Rogers Pond. Combined they make for one of the best waterfowl viewing sites on the Texas coast. During the winter months geese, ducks and sandhill cranes fill the ponds and sloughs. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Great for kayaking.
![Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Big Slough Auto Tour Map](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brazoria-NWR-Big-Slough-Auto-Tour-Map.jpg)
![Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge outside of Freeport Birding](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brazoria-National-Wildlife-Refuge-Birding.jpg)
![Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Alligator](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brazoria-NWR-gator.jpg)
![Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Discovery Center 1](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brazoria-NWR-Misc.jpg)
![Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Entrance Sign](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brazoria-NWR-Entrance-Sign.jpg)
![Behind Discovery Center at Brazoria NWR](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Behind-Discovery-Center-at-Brazoria-NWR.jpg)
![Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Bird](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brazoria-National-Wildlife-Refuge-Bird.jpg)
![Salt Lake Public Fishing Area at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge 1](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Salt-Lake-Public-Fishing-Area-at-Brazoria-NWR-1.jpg)
![Discovery Center at Brazoria NWR](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Discovery-Center-at-Brazoria-NWR.jpg)
![Cox Lake Trail Entrance at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Cox-Lake-Trail-Entrance-at-Brazoria-NWR.jpg)
![](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Otter-Slough-Trail-Boardwalk-at-BNWR.jpg)
![Big Slough Auto Tour at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Big-Slough-Auto-Tour-at-Brazoria-NWR.jpg)
![Big Slough Boardwalk and Trail at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.visitbrazosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Big-Slough-Boardwalk-and-Trail-at-the-Brazoria-National-Wildlife-Refuge.jpg)