Gaze across the rippling marshes and ponds of San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and it's easy to imagine Texas as it was before settlement. Clouds of snow geese in winter or a warbler "fallout" in spring further convince any visitor that they have stepped back into earliest Texas. Less than half of the refuge is open to the public, leaving a vast landscape was wildlife sanctuary. Yet, a drive on the 3-mile auto tour or hike on one of the three hiking trails can take up a full day's workth of wildlife watching.

Refuge Field Office: From Houston, take 288 south to Lake Jackson, take FM 2004 southwest for seven miles. FM 2004 turns into FM 2611 at Jones Creek. Take FM 2611 south four miles to FM 2918. Go one mile south on FM 2918 to CR 306, then west on CR 306 one and a quarter mile to the refuge field office San Bernard Refuge entrance: The refuge entrance is located 2.15 miles southwest of the intersection of FM 2918 and CR 306 on CR 306, or 0.85 miles past the refuge field office. Texas Mid-coast Complex Office: From Houston, take 288 south to Lake Jackson, take FM 2004 southwest for seven miles. FM 2004 turns into FM 2611 at Jones Creek. Take FM 2611 south 7.6 miles to CR 316. The office entrance is located off of CR 316 just west of the intersection.