2 Alabama gems named to USA Today’s 10Best Wildlife Refuges in the country

It was no surprise when two National Wildlife Refuges in Alabama were nominated for USA Today’s 10Best list. And after the readers voted, both spots made the final top 10 list from the national outlet.

For the second straight year, Decatur’s Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge made the list, dropping one spot to No. 3 after finishing second in 2024.

Meanwhile, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores is making its debut on the list, finishing at No. 9.

Keep reading to see the full list + find out why each Alabama refuge was recognized.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Encompassing 35,000 acres along the Tennessee River, the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge includes diverse habitats including:

• Bottomland hardwood forests
• Wetlands
• Grasslands
• Agricultural fields

The refuge is a key stopover for migratory birds along the Mississippi Flyway, hosting a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and birds of prey. The sandhill cranes are a popular sight for visitors every year.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), the refuge has at least 300 different species of birds including:

• Sandhill crane
• Whooping crane
• Bald eagle
• Short-eared owl
• Cooper’s hawk
• Osprey

If you are hoping to get a good look at the cranes, the peak time of year is toward the end of December and the beginning of January. However, you will likely start to see them show up in bigger numbers in November before mostly leaving by the end of February.

• Where: 3121 Visitors Center Rd, Decatur, AL 35603
• Hours: Visitor Center: 9AM-4PM, T-Sa., March-October | 9AM-5PM, 7 days a week, Nov.-Feb.
• More info

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Bon Secour, which means “safe harbor” in French, is a sanctuary for many threatened and endangered species near the Gulf Coast.

If you’re visiting, activities include:

• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Fishing
• Guided bird watching
• Hiking in the wetlands and dunes

Within the woodlands, beach dunes, and surrounding waters, you’ll find migratory neotropical songbirds, Alabama beach mice, and endangered species like the green, loggerhead and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.

• Where: 12295 State Hwy 180 W. Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• Hours: Trails open sunrise to sunset | Visitor Center: 9AM-1PM, M-F
• More info

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