Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, also known as Hagerman NWR, is overflowing with amphibians, armadillos, beavers, birds, coyotes, white-tailed deer, feral hogs, opossums, raccoons, reptiles, snakes, fox squirrels, and striped skunks. Visitors frequently see these animals, et al. in the refuge. Less common are sightings of alligators, bobcats, and river otters.

Hagerman NWR is in the Central Flyway zone, one of four migratory bird “super highways” that stretch from Mexico to Alaska and Canada. Wildflowers and prairie grasses provide seasonal food and shelter for wildlife. Butterflies, meadowlarks, and dragonflies flutter through its summer landscape.

How Big Is Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge?

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is 11,000 acres jam-packed with wildlife.

Is Hagerman Wildlife Refuge open?

Hagerman NWR is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, even when its Visitor Center is closed, as it is in 2021. You can drive through the refuge after sunset, but you are not allowed to stop or leave your vehicle between sunrise and sunset. Admission is free.

Visitors can drive on any road in the refuge unless the road is gated and park anywhere, except to block gates. Most events at Hagerman NWR are free.

Restrooms are located at the following locations:

• Visitor Center
• Goode Day Use Area (Haller's Haven Trail)
• Big Mineral Day Use Area (Meadow Pond Trail)
• Sandy Day Use Area

Are Dogs Allowed at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge?

Dogs are allowed on a leash. For its own safety, please keep your dog on a leash. For your wallet, please keep your dog on a leash to avoid a fine.

What Activities Are Allowed in a Wildlife Refuge?

Hagerman NWR is an excellent destination for birding, boating, hiking, fishing, regulated hunting, volunteering, and wildlife viewing.

The Friends of Hagerman offer many activities, events, seminars, volunteer opportunities for individuals, and learning opportunities for school and church groups.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Birding

Hagerman NWR is an excellent place to birdwatch, with over 338 recorded species of birds.

Each Tuesday a team of experienced birders, including Master Naturalist Jack Chiles, traverse 35 miles of refuge roads and hiking trails, documenting every bird they encounter. These birders report the Bird Census to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for research, and each week the refuge posts a link to their actual bird count, and a summary of their adventures.

The Hagerman Bird Viewing Guides on their website lists birds, winter birds, songbirds, and shorebirds. Each bird-viewing guide shows pictures of the birds. Some species are permanent residents, while others come seeking warmer weather during the winter months.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Trail Maps

Hagerman NWR features five inviting and well-maintained hiking trails. All mileage is round trip.

Haller's Haven Trail, 2.7 miles, partial loop, easy: This trail offers a splendid view of the refuge at the top of an easy hill. Along the way you'll first pass Picnic Pond, then Dead Woman's pond which is often teaming with wildlife. Haller's Haven Trail Map

Raasch Trail, 3 Miles, down and back, easy: Walk through a range of several habitats and search for Eastern Bluebirds and other songbirds. Raasch Trail Map

Harris Creek Trail, 0.25 miles, ADA accessible trail, plus 1.25 and 2.25-mile loops, easy: This is the most popular trail, with several ponds and a photo blind. Harris Creek Trail Map

Crow Hill Trail, 0.75-mile loop, moderate: shady, short, and steep. Crow Hill Trail Map

Meadow Pond Trail, 5.7-miles, down and back, mostly gravel, easy: Beginning with beautiful Deaver Pond and ending with Meadow Pond, about two miles in. This is one of the refuge's favorite trails. In July, the American Lotus flowers are in bloom on the water. Meadow Pond Trail Map

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Hunting

Yes, you can hunt Lake Texoma at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge!

Hagerman NWR only hosts drawn hunts through an online-only drawing system. Hunters must have an email address, a credit or debit card, a unique ID number. A unique ID can be a customer id number, driver’s license number, social security number, or passport number.

Species You Can Hunt At Hagerman NWR:

• Deer
• Feral Hog
• Turkey

National wildlife refuges are owned by the U.S. federal government, but the states set the game management regulations to ensure species do not become extinct or become overcrowded in their habitats. E-Postcard hunts are available through the TPWD Public Hunt Drawing System online. There are no application or permit fees to apply for the E-Postcard hunts, but adults applying for the hunts are required to possess an Annual Public Hunting Permit. General, youth-only and youth/adult categories are available.

Requirements For Hunting Hagerman NWR:

• At least one person on each application must have an email account.
• Payments can be made with Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
• A unique ID can be a Customer ID number, Driver’s License number, Social Security Number, or Passport number.
• Customers who have previously purchased a hunting or fishing license, or who have applied for a drawn hunt, should already have an account with a Customer ID number.

Process For Hunting Hagerman NWR:

• Online-only applications.
• Application deadlines on the 1st and 15th of each month.
• Email notification will be sent to drawn applicants.
• Your License ID number is your identifier.
• Pay with credit card on secure website.
• Check status of application at any time.
• Permits purchased online and sent by email.
• Application deadlines are on the 1st and 15th of each month.
• Drawings are held the following business day.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Fishing

Fishing at Hagerman NWR is excellent, including the following species and limits:

• White or black crappie Size limit: 10” minimum and 37 daily limit.
• Blue and channel catfish:
• Size limit: 12" minimum and combined daily bag limit 15.
• Only one blue 30" or greater may be retained each day.
• Flathead catfish Size limit: 20” minimum and 5 daily limit.
• Striped and striped hybrid bass: Daily limit 10 combined, only 2 may be 20” or longer.
• White bass: No size limit and 25 daily limit.
• Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass: Daily limit 5 combined, Size limit: 14” minimum.

Hagerman NWR is on the Texas side of Lake Texoma. Texas fishing regulations apply to all anglers.

Who are the Friends of Hagerman?

The Friends of Hagerman is a nonprofit organization of dedicated people who breathe life into the refuge and its wildlife.

Friends of Hagerman Mission Statement:

Friends of Hagerman NWR Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to instill reverence, respect, and conservation of our wild creatures and habitats through supporting environmental education, recreational activities, and programs of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Friends work together with refuge staff to host educational programs for individuals, church and school groups, and scouts, and monthly nature programs for adults. They offer recreational tram tours of the refuge while educating participants about the history and purpose of the refuge and the wildlife they see along the way. They hold guided bird walks and butterfly walks to educate the public about these incredible creatures and the importance of environmental conservation for their survival.

The Friends raise money to fund their projects in several ways. The Friends of Hagerman Nature Nook offers field guides, books and other nature related items for sale, to enhance visitors' enjoyment of the Refuge and encourage further study about nature-related topics. Volunteers manage and staff the shop, with proceeds going to fund Friends' projects at the Refuge.

The Friends of Hagerman Projects

Puddles' Craft Corner

Learn about nature while making a nature craft with Puddles! Much more than detailed craft instructions, these activities include information about the creature being made, supply lists, and pictures of every step.

The Friends of Hagerman NWR Photo Club

The Friends of Hagerman Nature Photo Club meets bimonthly at Hagerman NWR for a technical photography program. The club is open to anyone interested in nature photography, regardless of experience or type of equipment. 

Early Birding with Jack Chiles

Master Naturalist Jack Chiles will lead our Early Birding event, weather permitting. Meet at the Visitor Center for a slow-paced walk along Harris Creek Trail, and return in time for the Second Saturday program. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. 

Second Saturday

The Friends of Hagerman host a speaker for a nature presentation on the Second Saturday of each month. Topics vary every month, but always have relevance for people who love the refuge.

Ride the Wildlife Explorer

Enjoy a ninety-minute tram tour of Wildlife Drive aboard our open-air Wildlife Express. Learn about the fascinating history of the displaced town of Hagerman while watching for an abundance of wildlife, with lots of opportunities for bird watching and photography.

The Refuge Rocks!

Every month the refuge sponsors a ninety-minute program for children. Parents are welcome but not required to stay for the program. Children learn about nature while doing crafts and other fun activities.

Butterfly Garden Walk

Enjoy a stroll through the Butterfly Garden at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Garden. Docents are on hand to help you identify the Texas native plants and the butterflies in the garden. Use their close-focus butterfly binoculars to get a really close look at plants, butterflies, and other insects. Special activities for families are available, like scavenger hunts, meet the Metamorphosis Puppet and more. The garden is free and open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. The Friends schedule Garden walk events periodically from April through October.

Audio Auto Tour

The Audio Auto Tour Route takes you on an exciting journey through historic sites of the refuge. Along the way you will visit the old town of Hagerman, wildlife food plots, managed wetlands, prairies, and scenic Lake Texoma. At each stop, our virtual interpreter will tell you about the history of Hagerman, wildlife, habitats, refuge management activities, and the work of many volunteers that help keep this refuge in tip-top shape.

How Can You Volunteer with the Friends of Hagerman?

Do you love spending time at Hagerman NWR? Are you interested in "giving back" to the Refuge? Do you like to meet new people and have an interest in nature conservation? If so, please get in touch about joining a working committee of the Friends of Hagerman.