Tours
The Foundations offers free public tours on dates listed on the calendar below. Our entrance gate is locked at all times, so Foundation staff will meet you at the Refuge’s main gate off HWY 77.
Reservations required
Thursday Tours (3:00-5:00 p.m.)
Please make reservations at least one day in advance.
Call our main office, (361) 364-2643, or register online HERE
Tours begin with a visit to our Visitor’s Museum where visitors learn about the Foundation’s origin, mission, goals, and programs from a staff member or interpretive volunteer. The museum houses the Donald Bowman Bird Collection and Francis Lee Jaques Art Collection. Next, visitors take a 10-mile tour of the Welder Wildlife Refuge. The tour takes visitors through a variety of habitats ranging from upland mesquite-mixed-grass communities to freshwater wetland lakes. Many species of birds and wildlife are generally seen on these tours.
Private Tours
Private tours are similar to Thursday tour with the exception that visitors also have the opportunity to visit areas not normally seen by the public including our Natural History Specimens Collections and Library. Private tours may be arranged for groups consisting of 10 members or more. Reservations must be made through the Foundation at (361) 364-2643 or contact our Education Program Coordinator
Directions to the Welder Wildlife Refuge
Below is the physical address to the front gate of the Refuge and Foundation. It is important to note that you must use Google Maps when searching for this address on a mobile device. We have also listed driving directions from nearby towns below.
