State Parks and National Parks

Located about 18 miles west of Delano, the Kern National Wildlife Refuge provides wintering habitat for migrating birds, shorebirds, marsh and waterbirds in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The refuge also protects the habitat of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and the blunt-nosed leopard lizard.

The 10,618-acre refuge covers natural valley grasslands and developed marsh. A 6.5-mile auto route leads through the wetlands.

The Kern refuge also administers the Pixley refuge. The Pixley refuge covers 5,500 acres of valley grassland habitat and a 900-acre wetland. The Pixley refuge is the best place in the southern valley to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. A one-mile self-guided walking route is available, which leads to an observation deck overlooking the wetland.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.