The refuge is vital to the future of wildlife conservation in south Alabama and will protect Restoration for the Regionwide Restoration Area would replenish and protect wildlife such as dolphins, sea turtles, birds, and oysters. I made a loop hike. The name Bon Secour comes from the French words meaning “safe harbor,” very appropriate considering the sanctuary for native flora and fauna Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge provides…. Did you know that the Alabama Beach Mouse is an endangered species that can be found only on the Alabama coast? Congress established the Refuge in 1980 to preserve the coastal dune ecosystem and to protect threatened and endangered species along with migratory birds. All donations assist the Refuge with their financial needs. My kiddos loved all the small frogs hopping along the path. The Refuge is located a few miles down the Fort Morgan Peninsula Highway 180 (aka Fort Morgan Road) from Gulf Shores. Unlike many gulf side areas along Alabama and the Florida panhandle, the Bon Secour Refuge is dense in foliage and vegetation. The trails are open year-round, sunrise to sunset and highlight the unique features of the area. Established in 1980, Bon Secour is smaller than most other national wildlife re The Refuge is located a few miles down the Fort Morgan Peninsula Highway … I walked pine trail to gator lake trail then took the road to the beach then walked along the ocean to take pine trail back to the parking lot. 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Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,157-acre National Wildlife Refuge located in five separate units in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, United States, directly west of Gulf Shores, Alabama on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Sea turtles nest at the refuge from June through October. I was disappointed. From sandy beaches and rolling dunes to wetlands with a dense growth of evergreens and deciduous trees, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge features a diverse habitat. Marsh at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Credit: U.S. Taking its name from the French phrase meaning "safe harbor," Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of stunning wildlife. It is one of the most extensive undeveloped lands in the coast of Alabama, filled with numerous possible outdoor activities such as wildlife viewing, photography, fishing, boating, educational programs and hiking. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula in southern Alabama. Restaurants near Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge 12295 State Highway 180 , Gulf Shores, AL 36542-8203 Read Reviews of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge The refuge serves as a resting and feeding area for migratory birds and as a sanctuary for native flora and fauna. Named one of the 10 Natural Wonders of Alabama, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge comprises 7,000 acres on five parcels of land. Fish and Wildlife Service. Marco turned west but has left intermittent rain and cloudy skies. Find vacation rentals near Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Shores on Tripadvisor! The first trail we walked was the Jeff Friend trail which is a scenic and easy mile loop with shade and benches all along the trail . Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge: A safe haven for wildlife Gulf Fritillary on the Dunes The Bon Secour NWR contains 7,000 acres of wildlife habitat for migratory birds, nesting sea turtles and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. Home to Fort Morgan State Historic Park and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, the area offers plenty to do for families who rent Fort Morgan beach houses - especially if your family is the outdoorsy type. We were just there this past week and the mosquitos were so bad. on his heels. The refuge is unique for its natural characteristics. The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Our clinical leaders have implemented protocols that are consistent with CDC guidelines to ensure the quality and safety of the care we provide to our patients. Laura is. Thousands of sea turtle hatchlings take their first steps right here on Gulf Coast beaches! The name Bon Secour is French and means “safe harbor,” a very appropriate name for this undisturbed piece of paradise. Bon Secour NWR is one of the best kept secrets on the entire Alabama Gulf Coast. The non-profit group helps lead educational programs, promotes awareness, and so much more! Enjoy a selection of refuge photographs from photographer Stephanie Pluscht. Bon Secour NWR is one of the best kept secrets on the entire Alabama Gulf Coast. Refuge trails give visitors an opportunity to discover different habitats of the refuge: dunes, swales, wetlands, maritime forests and scrub habitats. The Refuge is the last large parcel of undeveloped land on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Visitors come to the Gulf Shores wildlife refuge to escape the crowds of the state parks; here, it feels like a slice of southern coastal wilderness was set aside just for your enjoyment. Keep going into the beach and you will be rewarded with a secluded beach just for you. Visitors come to the Gulf Shores wildlife refuge to escape the crowds of the state parks; here, it feels like a slice of southern coastal wilderness was set aside just for your enjoyment. Just amazing I’ll be back! We were looking for something to do, I really love to photograph birds. T, We visited Bon Secour around 11am on a hot July day. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Wildlife Refuge in Bon Secour, AL. The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a corner of paradise for many species of birds, located near Fort Morgan. If you're looking to get away from it all, though, Fort Morgan is the Gulf Coast destination of choice. Find out more by reading our pet policy. The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a corner of paradise for many species of birds, located out near Fort Morgan. While staying in Fort Morgan, we did the Jeff Friend Trail with our children, ages 6 and 2, for a non-beach activity on a cool weather day. Discover nature by exploring Bon Secour NWR trails! Only bird was a Great Blue Heron. But in all fairness we are in Gulf Shores during the two storm punch so the weather has been very strange. They are year-round residents of the Gulf Coast and even nest on refuge. I was disappointed to see signage indicating that they do not intend to rebuild the boardwalk over the marsh area on Pine Beach Trail, but it is understandable given how expensive it is to repair / replace boardwalks. Join refuge staff for a series of guided walks and talks this winter season! The Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge is located in Gulf Shores. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Acquisition – Three Rivers Parcel – $4.4 million. This trail about a mile in length was quite doable for them. In French, bon secour means "safe harbor", which is quite a fitting name for a 7,000-plus acre wildlife refuge tucked amid the tourism bustle of the Alabama Gulf Coast and its high-rise condominiums, beach houses, and entertainment options. Bon Secours continues to monitor the latest novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which includes a diversity of flora and fauna, was established to preserve fragile barrier features along the rapidly developing Gulf Coast. You can reach the refuge by riding the ferry from the west side of Mobile Bay or drive through Mobile and down to Gulf Shores. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Gulf Coast Complex. These include funds needed to acquire, preserve, and protect natural habitats for vanishing and endangered species within the Refuge. 🏖—Pine Beach Trail. The Refuge consists of a really nice Nature Center and two great hiking trails. The Refuge is located a few miles down the Fort Morgan Peninsula Highway 180 (aka Fort Morgan Road) from Gulf Shores. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge was established to ensure the well-being of nationally endangered and threatened species, to conserve an undisturbed beach/dune ecosystem which includes a diversity of fish and wildlife, and their habitat, to serve as a living laboratory for scientists and students and to provide wildlife-oriented recreation for the public. This is a must, Beautiful walk to the Beach. This project will acquire and restore 236 acres of estuarine and forested shrub wetlands on Fort Morgan Peninsula. Download Bon Secour … Simply stunning. more, Things to do near Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Bon Secour NWR is one of the best kept secrets on the entire Alabama Gulf Coast. Wow the mosquitoes will buzz your ears, wear insect repellent especially if rainy. The Friends of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is the official non-profit sponsor of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge under agreement with the U.S. The Friends of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The area features undeveloped sandy dunes and beaches a… Um this encompasses some of Alabama's last remaining undeserved coastal barrier habitats so a few of the animal uh an insect species that can be found here are the uh sea turtles of course um and also um over 360 different bird types have been um documented here. Why can't I bring my pet to Bon Secour Refuge? Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to: Learn more about the loggerhead sea turtle, Check local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information, Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick. I love that this place is never usually busy. Resource Management. The walk went through magnolia trees, old oak trees and then to Gator 🐊 Lake and a lookout for gators. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge: Quiet Trails - See 267 traveler reviews, 186 candid photos, and great deals for Gulf Shores, AL, at Tripadvisor. Friends of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Refuges We Support Donate Now Bon Secour wildlife refuge – privacy policy Who We Are Our website address… GPS: N30.24758 W-87.82941. The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge office is on the right (north; look for sign on left) and you may want to stop for information about the refuge and the latest bird sightings. Such a lovely beach!! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. So we were there in the rain. It is a gorgeous place and we were so sad we had to leave after only walking a short distance because we forgot bug spray. Friends of Bon Secour Naional Wildlife Refuge. With over 7,000 acres of undeveloped coastline and hundreds of species of birds, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is arguably the most scenic and relaxing spot on the entire Alabama coastline. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge 12295 State Highway 180 Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Named one of the 10 Natural Wonders of Alabama, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge comprises 7,000 acres on five parcels of land. Wildlife Refuge in Bon Secour on YP.com. National Wildlife Refuge | Alabama About the Refuge The name Bon Secour comes from the French words meaning “safe harbor,” very appropriate considering the sanctuary for native flora and fauna Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge provides… The refuge is one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Alabama coast. 12295 State Highway 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542-8203. Learn more about the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Bring bug spray. View 64,564 traveler reviews from properties near Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, AL If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Since the FBSNWR was established in 1996, our primary function has been to advocate on behalf of the refuge and provide financial assistance to the refuge in those areas where agency support was lacking. Snowy plovers face many threats with coastal areas becoming increasingly developed. 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