Complete Guide to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi, including things to do, history, nearby lodging and camping, directions, and so much more.
TL;DR Don’t have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 under the Endangered Species Act to protect the critically endangered Mississippi Sandhill Crane, a species that only had an estimated 30-35 birds remaining.
This was also a time when they were losing their critical habitat, the wet pine savannas, which is also an endangered habitat area.
This unique habitat is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the US, with more than 30 plants found in a square meter of land.
The wet pine savannah includes such species as Longleaf Pine, Pond Pine, Slash Pine, Wiregrass, sedges, Toothache Grass, and Carnivorous Plants like Sundews and Pitcher Plants.
Through conservation efforts, there are now approximately 200 birds.
Things to know before your visit
Entrance fee
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge does not charge an entrance fee! If you plan on visiting numerous sites on a National Park trip, you may consider buying an America the Beautiful/National Park Pass before your trip.
Duck Stamp - $25.00
The Federal Duck Stamp is so much more than just a hunting stamp. They cover the admittance fee to National Wildlife Refuges, as well as being required for Migratory Bird Hunters (primarily duck and goose hunters). They are also collectible works of art and an easy way for everyone to help support wetland conservation.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge Map
Refuge Information
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Size - 19,300 acres
Check out how the park compares to other National Parks by Size.
Date Established - 1975
Phone Number - (228)497-6322
Address
7200 Crane Lane
Gautier, MS 39553
Pets - Dogs are allowed in some regions of the refuge, including the designated hiking trails and visitor center grounds. They must be kept on a leash at all times and required to pick up after their pet.
Cell Service - Visitors should expect limited/unreliable cellular service.
Hours
Trails and grounds are open from Sunrise to Sunset, seven days a week.
Visitor Center Hours are Thursday-Saturday (excluding Federal Holidays) from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST.
Wi-Fi Available - There is no WIFI available at the refuge, and visitors should expect limited internet access through their cellular phones during their visit.
Food/Restaurants - There are numerous restaurants near the refuge
Gas - There are several gas stations near the refuge.
Drones - Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.
Electric Vehicle Charging
There are no EV Charging Stations at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, but there are several charging areas nearby. Click here for a map from the US Department of Energy showing EV charging Station Locations.
Don't forget to Pack these Items
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
Getting to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Estimated Distance from Major Cities
Biloxi, MS - 19 Miles, 18 Minutes
Mobile, AL - 40 miles, 42 minutes
New Orleans, LA - 101 miles, 1 hour and 30 minutes
Closest Airports
International Airports
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) - 30 miles, 29 minutes
Lewis Armstrong New Orleans National Airport (MSY) - 111 miles, 1 hour and 40 minutes
Regional Airports
Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) - 38 miles, 52 minutes
Best time to visit
This region has a humid subtropical climate, with year-round humidity, and rainfall is relatively consistent.
Hurricanes can happen in this region, and hurricane season is June 1 through November 30.
Weather and Seasons
Spring (March - May)
Temperatures are mild and pleasant with a gradual warming trend towards summer.
Summer (June-August)
Summers are hot and humid with highs in the upper 80s and 90s.
Fall (September-November)
Fall is pleasant as the humidity begins to break, along with the intense heat. Midday can still be very warm.
Winter (December-February)
Winter is the cool season with average highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.
Things to Do at Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Center
The visitor center is open on Thursday-Saturday (excluding Federal Holidays) from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST. Here you can tour the exhibits, watch a 12 minute film in the theater, and pick up maps and brochures.
Hiking
C.L. Dees Nature Trail is a ¾ mile easy loop trail located across the visitor center parking lot. The trail passes through the wet pine savannah and down to Bayou Castille. Make sure to look for carnivorous plants like Pitcher Plants and Sundews that can be seen year-round.
Fontainebleau Nature Trail is a moderate 1.75-mile loop trail (adjacent to Ocean Springs Middle School) that follows through pine forests and beautiful Davis Bayou Vistas. Come prepared with proper footwear, as this trail can sometimes have waterlogged areas.
Bird watching - There are numerous birding opportunities, but if you plan on seeing the Mississippi Sandhill Cranes, they are most common in the winter season. Make sure to try to get on one of the tours for the best opportunity to see them. Click here for a Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR Bird Checklist.
Tours - Crane Refuge Tours are only offered from Late November through February and are staffing-dependent. Reservations are required for the guided tours and are approximately two hours long. Most of the tour is inside a vehicle, but you may have an opportunity to view birds outside the vans.
Bicycles - Visitors may ride bikes along the Crane Lane entrance corridor. Bicycles are not allowed on refuge trails.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge area attractions
Here is a list of activities I personally picked near Grand Bay and Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuges and the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi that will make a great weekend getaway to the Gulf Coast!
Ship Island Excursions (Ferry Service to Gulf Islands National Seashore's Ship Island)
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3.5-9 hours | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability
The boat trip to Ship Island is approximately 12 miles (1 Hour) each way plus time on the island. Once on Ship Island you can
- Take a slef-guided tour of Fort Massachusettts
- Enjoy the day relaxing on the beach
- Go birdwatching
- There is even a snack bar and a covered picnic pavilion
eBike Rental Biloxi and Ocean Springs, MS
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1 Day | 🚵 Check Rates and Availability
I personally love Ocean Springs, MS! There's great restaurants, shops, the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the Ocean Springs Beach. Parking can be a hassle and here you can ride a eBike and explore this little gem.
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Admission Ticket
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 Hours | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability
This is Mobile Alabama's top attraction! This 100 acre park allows you to
- Self Guided tour of the USS Alabama Battleship
- Self-Guided tour of the USS Drum Submarine
- Self-Guideed tour of the Aircraft Pavilion, home to 28 historic aircraft and antique military vehicles
- Throughout the park you will see memorials honoring modern war veterans
Lodging near the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Quality Inn in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is a family-friendly hotel with several amenities, including:
- pet friendly
- laundry
- breakfast included
- Free Self-Parking
- Free WIFI
White House Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi - I have driven past this hotel a few times and really want to book a stay here! It looks gorgeous and has excellent reviews! Amenities for this property include:
- Free WIFI
- Free uncovered parking
- Seasonal outdoor pool (April-November)
- Fitness Center
- On the Waterfront
- Rooftop Terrace
- Restaurants on-site
Click on the map below for vacation rentals and lodges near the refuge.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge Camping
There is no camping available in the refuge, but there are several lodging options and private campgrounds nearby.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resources
The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crucade for America
This is a great book that centers on Roosevelt's conservation efforts and his role in establishing the Wildlife Refuge system.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This book provides an in-depth coverage of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal Agency that manages the National Wildlife Refuge System, protects endangered species, and conducts fish and wildlife research.
Blue Goose Passport Book
The Blue Goose Passport is named after the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System and is designed to record your visits to National Wildlife Refuges.
America's National Wildlife Refuges: A Complete Guide
An all-in-one guide to more than 500 sites in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This book lists each refuge alphabetically by state, providing basic information about accessibility, facilities, and habitat types.
Additional Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuges
Bon Secor NWR - Gulf Shores, Alabama
Grand Bay NWR - Grand Bay, AL
Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR - New Orleans, Louisiana
Big Branch Marsh NWR - Slidell, LA
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge - St Marks, Florida
J.N. Ding Darling NWR - Sanibel Island, Florida
Check out all of the National Parks in Mississippi along with neighboring National Parks in Alabama, National Parks in Arkansas, Louisiana National Parks, and Tennessee National Parks.
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