wheeler wildlife refuge

Really nice refuge. Whooping cranes were present. One negative is that there was no wildlife drive. That would have made viewing much easier

We have enjoyed Wheeler Wildlife for MANY YEARS. In fact out children were greatly influenced by their wildlife education from here. Great scout trips or fun visits with us it was all enjoyed. The observation room is great. Outdoor walkways with various looking terrain like flat or swampy places. Cyprus stumps are interesting how they grow. Just a really cool place!

I really enjoyed my visit here. It was not peak season, but we still had a great time and saw several birds. The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgable. We are definitely going to return during the winter when more wildlife is there. I took my 5th and 2nd graders on a field trip. We homeschool, and we are always looking for inexpensive and educational outings, and you can't get any more inexpensive than free.

We dropped the teenager at the water park and the 3 adults sped our time at the wildlife park and at Cooks and we really enjoyed ourselves. If u have half a day and want to relax, come here. Watch the birds, walk to the lake, and see the short film u will enjoy it.

Free with quality exhibits, theatre, maps and restrooms indoors. Nice trails, bird feeders, spotting scopes for close ups outdoors.

The Wheeler Wildlife Refuge is a combination of an outside and inside adventure. The inside offers life-size views of the local animals in a natural habitat. There is also a video shown of the birds in the Refuge. A hands on display lets one handle different items found there-like turtle shells, feathers, snake skins,etc. The outside has a short walk to an inside observation building with two telescopes to observe ducks, birds and other critters. Other trails can be walked around the main building. Your family will enjoy the walk on the wild side that's not too wild.

While exploring new places, I like to wander onto spots where both my dog and I can be off the leash and just play. Such is Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. You would never know it is there if you weren't really looking for it. Right off of the main interstate roads (and I mean RIGHT off of it) with no fan fare or big signs is a seemingly endless marsh land that is chained off from motorized vehicles...and the more you walk back into its expanse of woodlands, the further away from the sound of 21st "civilization" you get. It's wonderful!It is a great place to stargaze, too. No curfew and no one to bother you. Highly recommended!

Excellent nature center, observation tower, and staff. The staff members were extremely friendly and informative. They happily answered all of our questions and provided interesting and valuable insight into the refuge and wildlife present. The observation tower provided awesome climate controlled views for wildlife viewing including free spotting scopes. The nature center was informative and interesting. A great stop for a few minutes or hours.

Wheeler Refuge was designed from a bunch a flat, faceless land as a sanctuary for waterfowl. This place is wonderful. The Observation Center is fully staffed and a must-do for any trip to the area.

If you like quiet walks, or bird watching this is the place to go if you are near Decatur / Priceville AL. The cost is zero. They have a visitors center and an observation building.

The refuge headquartered in Decatur, AL is one of the largest in the South. Located just a few miles off I-65, it attracts thousands of visitors each year wanting to get close to nature. The watering and feeding ponds which are view-able from an heated/cooled observation house. During the winter months thousands of waterfowl can be observed at close range taking a break from the northern cold weather. In other seasons many species of birds and other wildlife can be seen. A visitor center contains many displays for viewing and a helpful staff to provide additional information. Highly recommended for a day trip or a break from traveling I-65!

Great place for nature walks, swimming, and fishing. We saw a mother and baby deer, lots of birds, turtles, and rabbits. The lodge was exceptional. Great views and great restaraunt. We stayed part of our trip in a cabin and recommend it. It's a lot more private than the lodge. Loved waking up and looking out at the river in both!

It is free, natural,not crowded, not commercial. A good museum of wildlife in this area.Rangers and volunteers give excellent informative sessions, sometimes with raptors.Walk to the remove viewing area (enclosed) and you will ALWAYS see birds.

visitor center was not open when we went. It looks like it has been a long time since they did any improvements

I live just a couple of miles from here and visit often. Very relaxing place for a stroll and to enjoy nature. Blinds offer awesome viewing and you'll see a wide variety of species. Boardwalks scattered about at to the experience. Hidden gem right in our backyard.