Brazoria County Wildlife Refuge

Located in Southern Brazoria county just North of Lake Jackson is a spot where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and get out into nature. This park is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife service and it protects acres a wetlands. You can see what the Houston area was like before the city was built. There is a nice nature center at the entrance of the refuge that talks about the refuge and the many animals that live or transit through the lands. Just behind the nature center is a boardwalk that takes you over a small pond. Usually the pond is full of ducks and other kinds of birds. We came across a Alligator and her young children once. She was calm but we did not get too close. There is a trail that includes a few observation points. We have seen small animals like rabbits in the forest area of the trail. At the nature center you can get a CD that will guide you through the driving tour of the refuge. The Big Slough Auto tour is 7.5 miles long and it is a dirt road. It can be bumpy at times but our small cars made it through it multiple times just fine. During the drive you will see many kinds of birds and quite a few alligators. There are some place you can get out. We have seen birds swoop into the water and fly away with fish and all kinds of other things. If you plan on doing some hiking I would recommend bringing bug spray as it is a swamp. The park is completely free and its a great place to get away from the city but not be too far from home!