State Parks and National Parks

The 26,609-acre San Luis National Wildlife Refuge in the central San Joaquin Valley supports a large wintering population of mallards, green-winged teals, pintails, shovelers and sandhill cranes. Fall and spring visitors can spot bitterns, yellowlegs, sandpipers, long-billed curlews, white-faced ibis and Virginia rails.

Populations of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and the unique tule elk exist. Elk can be seen along a 5-mile auto tour route. There is also a 9-mile auto tour route with places to stop and hike around wetlands, and view wildlife from two observation decks. Fishing is available for catfish, striped bass, crappie and other species.

San Luis contains the lands of the former Kesterson refuge, which ceased being a separate unit of the system in 1996.

The refuge also administers the 8,358-acre Merced National Wildlife Refuge in the northern San Joaquin Valley, an important site for wintering waterfowl. A 5.2-mile road and an observation platform provide access for viewing ducks, geese, cranes and shorebirds.

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