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National Wildlife Refuges to Photograph in the USA

552 national wildlife refuges in 50 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top national wildlife refuges

Arctic National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Arctic National Wildlife RefugeYukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK
Yukon Delta National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Yukon Delta National Wildlife RefugeBethel Census Area, AK
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife RefugeAleutians East Borough, AK
Kenai National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Kenai National Wildlife RefugeKenai Peninsula Borough, AK
Kodiak National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Kodiak National Wildlife RefugeAlaska
Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife RefugeLake and Peninsula Borough, AK
Ash Meadows National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows National Wildlife RefugeNye County, NV
Wichita Mountains Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains Wildlife RefugeComanche County, OK
Yukon Flats National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Yukon Flats National Wildlife RefugeYukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK
Kanuti National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Kanuti National Wildlife RefugeYukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK
Aransas National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Aransas National Wildlife RefugeAransas County, TX
Selawik National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Selawik National Wildlife RefugeNorthwest Arctic Borough, AK
National Elk RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
National Elk RefugeTeton County, WY
Seedskadee National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Seedskadee National Wildlife RefugeLincoln County, WY
Koyukuk National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Koyukuk National Wildlife RefugeYukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK
Innoko National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Innoko National Wildlife RefugeYukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK
Pelican Island National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Pelican Island National Wildlife RefugeIndian River County, FL
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife RefugeSan Mateo County, CA
Rachel Carson National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Rachel Carson National Wildlife RefugeYork County, ME
Florida Panther National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Florida Panther National Wildlife RefugeCollier County, FL
Nowitna National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Nowitna National Wildlife RefugeYukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK
Alligator River National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Alligator River National Wildlife RefugeDare County, NC
Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeDorchester County, MD
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife RefugeImperial County, CA

By state

Map

How to photograph national wildlife refuges

Wildlife is most active in the first and last two hours of daylight — exactly when the light is warmest.

  • Use auto-loop roads as mobile blinds; animals often tolerate vehicles more than people on foot.
  • Stay on designated routes and keep a respectful distance — if an animal changes behavior, you are too close.
  • A 400–600 mm lens (or a crop body) is the usual tool for birds.
  • Fast shutter speeds (1/2000 s+) freeze wingbeats; raise ISO rather than lose the shot.
  • Migration peaks bring the largest concentrations — see the birding calendar for this state.

Season: Spring and autumn migration are the highlights; winter brings waterfowl to many southern refuges.