Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama, United States
4.5 (159 reviews) Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent Ranking #1 in Decatur Nature & Wildlife Areas
Visit the cranes
We went over on Sunday of the crane festival. We got there about 2 and had to wait about 30 minutes for a parking spot. We enjoyed going to the observation building to see the cranes. There were thousands of them. They had a microphone that picked up and calls as the birds flew over and sounded in the building. It was really great. They had scopes set up so that you could see the birds if you didn't bring your binoculars. The cranes are at the park mid-November to mid-February. Go see them. It's best to go mid day because by 3:30 they were starting to go to their night spots. The museum inside is worth seeing and we enjoyed the film about the cranes. We enjoyed walking on the wetlands boardwalk too.
Address
3121 Visitor Center Road, Decatur, AL 35603
Mobile
Website
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/wheeler
Working hours
Monday : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Thursday, May 09, 2024, 2:23
User Ratings
4.5 based on (159 reviews)
Reviews
-
5Liz F 5:00 PM Dec 18, 2021
Winter Birdwatching 2021
Outstanding location to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. 8,000 had been counted during our visit. 9 Whooping Cranes were a bonus, as were many White-fronted Geese. One Ross's Goose made an appearance also. The Observation Building offers a wonderful blind to view the cranes as they enjoy their winter surroundings. The Cypress Trail also had a number of nice sightings, including Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, and lots of wintering American Robins in all plumage stages.
-
4luckyv 5:00 PM Mar 1, 2022
Very interesting place
We arrived in Decatur earlier than expected so had time to check out the area. I wish we would have had more time at the refuge. There were many trails and the area was very nice. There was no admission charge. Visitors take note that the entrance gate locks at closing time, so you do not want to stay later. I would definitely recommend checking out the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge if you are in the area.
