The entire refuge will be closed March 18, 19, 25, 26 for aerial hog control.

Due to maintenance issues at the refuge, indoor restrooms may not be available on the following dates: 3/13, 3/21 to 4/11.

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Photos by Donnie Simmons

Refuge Information

Featuring 11,000 acres of outdoor recreation opportunities, Hagerman NWR is the largest natural space in North Texas freely available to the public. It is an excellent destination for Birding, Hiking,  Wildlife Viewing, Fishing, Boating and regulated Hunting.

Like many national wildlife refuges, Hagerman NWR has a very active Friends organization who offer a variety of nature-themed, family-friendly Events, Tram Tours of the refuge, Seminars and Field Trips for schools, scouts and other groups. In addition, the Photo Club hosts informative meetings, seminars and field trips.

  • Admission to the refuge and visitor center, parking and all events and activities are free (except where stated otherwise)
  • Drive on any road unless gated
  • Please take care not to block gates when stopping or parking.
  • Leashed dogs and bicycles (including e-bikes) are welcome.
  • Kayaks and other non-motorized boats are welcome with some restrictions.
  • Restrooms are located at the Visitor Center, Environmental Education Park, the Goode Picnic Area, Big Mineral Picnic Area and Sandy Day Use Area.
Refuge lands are open every day of the year, from sunrise until sunset.

Visitor Center Hours:

  • Monday Through Saturday: 9am to 4pm
  • Sunday: 1pm to 5pm
  • Open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years

Refuge Office Hours:

  • Monday Through Friday: 7:30am to 4pm
  • Closed for federal holidays

The speed limit is 20 mph throughout the refuge.  Exceeding the speed limit may result in a Federal ticket.

America The Beautiful Park Passes

Park Passes are sold by refuge staff. Ring the door-bell at the window inside the Visitor Center for staff assistance.   More information

Note: Nature Nook volunteers may not sell park passes

For more information, please visit our FAQ page or More on Refuge Rules.

Questions?  info@friendsofhagerman.org

Photo by Nelda Zamir


Need an outing during the cold weather? Try the Auto Tour 

It's a great way to see wildlife and learn about the refuge in the comfort of your car.  Don't forget to bring Grandma!


Stay up to date with current events and wildlife at the refuge!

March, 2025 Featherless Flyer       


Every Tuesday morning Jack Chiles and his team of experienced birders set out to perform a refuge-wide bird census.  View his full report, including field notes!

Weekly Bird Census



Enjoy a ninety minute tour of the refuge.  Learn about the town flooded to create Lake Texoma while enjoying the birds and other wildlife.

Tram Tours  Group Tram Request

With nature-themed topics and crafts every month,  the kids will love our monthly children's program led by Cindy Steele:

The Refuge Rocks!  (Reservations Required)

For nature crafts you can do at home with detailed instructions, visit:

Puddles' Craft Corner


Come and enjoy our patio with a gorgeous view.  Bring a picnic lunch and go for a nature hike, or drive to the west side of the refuge and look for Road Runners.


We have binoculars for you to borrow for the day, you never know what you might see! 

Refuge Update:

The entire refuge will be closed March 18-19 and March 25-26 for aerial hog control.

Also, due to maintenance issues at the refuge, indoor restrooms may not be available on the following dates: 3/13, 3/21 to 4/11.

Upcoming events

  • Spring Break 2025 Free Youth Program: Friday

    • March 14, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Hagerman NWR Visitor Center
    • 3
    Register

    Ever wonder how a hummingbird sips nectar or why a woodpecker's head doesn't hurt? Join us as we explore the amazing adaptations that help birds thrive! We'll discover how their beaks, feet, and feathers are perfectly designed for their unique lifestyles. Plus, we'll put our newfound knowledge to the test by making bird feeders that cater to the specific needs and beaks of our local birds that attract these feathered friends. Get ready for a bird-tastic adventure – it's going to be egg-cellent!  Reservations Required.  Join us at the refuge on Friday, March14 at 10:00-12:00 this program that wraps up our week of spring break fun!

    Show details

  • Refuge Rocks - Fascinating Fractals in Nature

    • March 15, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Hagerman National Wildlife Visitor Center, 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092
    • 11
    Register

    Dive into the mesmerizing world of fractals, where nature loves to show off its repeating patterns! Picture this: tiny tree branches, winding rivers, fluffy clouds, growing plants, and delicate snowflakes all sporting their mini-me versions! Students will become nature detectives, spotting these amazing patterns everywhere. Plus, we’ll uncover the math magic behind these self-similar wonders. Get ready to unleash your inner fractal artist and whip up some stunning masterpieces to take home and proudly display!  

    Let’s learn about fractals with a short lesson, some fun games and activities, as well as a fun craft! Come join us on March 15 for a free class for youth ages 5-10.  

    Free and open to the public, registration is required.  Donations are accepted to support this and other events and programs sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman NWR.

    Join us with membership today to receive the monthly Featherless Flyer newsletter with nature articles, program information, updated events and other important refuge information.


    Show details

  • Photo Club Meeting: Composition by Nancy Miller

    • March 15, 2025
    • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Hagerman National Wildlife Visitor Center, 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092

    Join us for the March meeting of the Friends of Hagerman NWR Nature Photography Club. Everyone is welcome to attend -- members and non-members, beginners and experienced.

    Composition by Nancy Miller

    Using various elements to make a photo more visually appealing.

    Event Leader: Nancy Miller

    _____________________________________________

    For questions about the photo club, contact:

    Lisa Wilkins, Photo Club Leader

    Email FOHphotoclub@gmail.com


    Show details

  • Beginning Birding Course

    • March 22, 2025
    • April 12, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Learn about common backyard birds, like this Cedar Waxwing by Donnie Simmons

    Wayne Meyer will be leading classes in how to become a bird watcher this spring. Starting in mid-March, just as the temperatures should start to warm up, the classes will go over basics like using binoculars, using field guides, learning the local birds, learning how to find them, etc.

    Classes will be from 8 AM until noon on 22 and 29 March, 5 and 12 April. We will spend approximately 90 minutes each day in a classroom and the rest of the time out on the refuge looking at birds.

    In 1993, Dr. Wayne Meyer finally achieved his life’s dream of being paid to look at birds when he joined the faculty of Austin College. He has birded both coasts of the U.S. extensively and now has spent a quarter century birding in Texas and Oklahoma. The proximity of Austin College to Hagerman NWR has made research on prairie birds easy and convenient and he has been studying song learning and singing in Painted Buntings for over a decade. Meyer is also a sought after speaker for Master Naturalist groups and a frequent speaker at the Friends of Hagerman NWR second Saturday programs.

    Four Saturdays: 3/22, 3/29, 4/05, 4/12

    Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

    Registration Fee: $10



    Show details

  • Nature'Ology Pre-Registration

    • June 07, 2025
    • 7:45 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092
    Register

    Nature’Ology Day Camp June, 2025

    For Children 11 or 12 Years Old

    A full day of learning all about nature: fossils, prairies, spiders, birds, snakes and water cycles! Make a terrarium, enjoy a nature craft and meet other young nature enthusiasts!

    This program has become so popular, that it fills up very quickly. As a pre-registrant, you will be emailed a link to apply for a confirmed reservation on Wednesday, May 7th at 10:00 AM, one day before reservations become available to the general public. 

    The first 30 students to complete registration on or after May 7th will be granted a confirmed reservation.

    Show details

Other Events


All events are free and open to the public!


Donate to help fund

programs like these!


The Photo Club Nature Photo Contest: The Results are in!

Best in Show

The Huntress

by Jeff Gladden







Youth Best in Show

Red Headed Woodpecker

by Nicholas Graham


See the rest of the 

Winning Photos


The 2024 Refuge Roundup: Raptor Festival

A fun time was had by all, and everyone enjoyed the live raptor programs by the Blackland Pairie Raptor Center.

Join the Friends of Hagerman with a membership to receive our monthly newsletter, The Featherless Flyer, with information about all of our family friendly, educational nature-themed events! 

Thank you, BPRC!

Photos by Lea Watson

The 2024 Annual Free Fishing Event

2024 Nature'Ology: A Fun Day of Learning About Nature!

Don't miss our day camp for 10-12 year olds in June, 2025!

Enjoy: 2023 Favorite Clips Video: Hagerman Wildlife on Youtube

By Richard Barnes

Wilson's Snipe by Richard Barnes

Friends of Hagerman Mission

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.

Schedule a free ranger-led Field Trip for your school, church, scouts or other group at Hagerman NWR!


Photo by Marilyn Simmons

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Events and activities hosted by the Friends of Hagerman are funded by donations and powered solely by volunteers.  There are no fees for admission to the refuge or parking. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year and you may drive on any road unless gated.

6465 Refuge Road

Sherman, TX 75092

             

Kroger: Stop by the customer service desk at Kroger and link your Kroger Card to the Friends of Hagerman: the Friends will get rewards for every dollar you spend, at no cost to you.

Please add info@friendsofhagerman.org to your contacts to ensure delivery of registration confirmations, account information and the Featherless Flyer

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See you at the refuge! 

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