Historical land use practices have created unique habitat at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge for many rare and uncommon species of animals and plants. The 50,000 acres of land has been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area.
Big Oaks is Open to Public Use

Big Oaks is open to public use on certain days. The refuge will be open on the following days for general public use:  August 1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 18, 22, 23, 25, and 29. September  5, 8, 12, 13, 15, 19, 22, 26, 27, 29.  The refuge is closed on September 1 for the Labor Day Federal Holiday. Deer hunt briefings and safety video screenings will begin on September 29 for the hunts held in October and November.  Following that date, these are shown at the refuge office on public use days (Mondays and Fridays at 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM.), and hunt days (at 5:30 AM, 6:00 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM) except when those days are Federal Holidays (October 13 and November 11 are Federal Holidays and the refuge office will be closed).  Normal public use safety briefings will be shown at the same times (7 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM) on public use days.

There is a special Lodge Day open house at Old Timbers Lodge on September 6th from 1 PM to 6 PM. Access to the Lodge will be from gate 8 on Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. Gate 8 is about 1 mile south of New Marion on Old Michigan Road. See below for more information.

Visit Us

Wooded creek
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For a first visit to Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, please allow at least an hour to stop at the office, take the safety briefing and obtain a daily pass. That鈥檚 also a great time to talk with the staff about activities available on the refuge, pick up a refuge map, and find out about current wildlife sightings.  

Location and Contact Information

      Old Timbers Lodge on Big Oaks NWR
      Lodge Day at Big Oaks NWR on June 6

      The Big Oaks Conservation Society is hosting an open house at the historic Old Timbers Lodge on September 6th from 1 PM to 6 PM.  Access to the Lodge will be from gate 8 on Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR); Gate 8 is about 1 mile south of New Marion on Old Michigan Road. The Society will offer tours of the Lodge and provide light refreshments; refuge staff will offer short tours of portions of Big Oaks NWR.  The Society will also provide information about their mission and volunteer opportunities at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge and at Old Timbers Lodge. Other local conservation groups will have informational booths set up for visitors to discover outdoor opportunities in the surrounding communities. Big Oaks Conservation Society is a local non-profit Friends Group that supports the mission and activities of Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge.

      Tours

      The refuge offers guided tours by van throughout the public use season. Special guided tours can be requested for birding, wildflower hikes, and historical tours of the property. Visitors can also schedule tours of the historic Old Timbers Lodge.  For more information call the refuge Office. Tours of the refuge could be restricted due to pandemic restrictions.

      What We Do

      Cerulean warbler on tree branch
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      Wildlife and habitat management, especially for rare and endangered species, are the priorities for Big Oaks staff. Various kinds of surveys and monitoring take place annually on the refuge, usually in cooperation with local universities.  Past projects have included monitoring endangered Indiana bats, American burying beetles, and American kestrels. Volunteers and interns have assisted with many surveys of forest and grassland bird nest productivity, cerulean warbler nesting ecology, and small mammal biodiversity.  The most recent and on-going project on the refuge is providing habitat for monitoring the state-endangered crawfish frog.

      Services
      Entrance sign at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
      Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge User Fees

      Activities at Big Oaks require paying either a daily fee of $3 for a public access permit or $15 for an annual access permit with certain exceptions. Holders of a Federal Duck Stamp do not need to pay a fee or does anyone age 15 and under. Holders of Federal Interagency Senior, Access, and...

      Service
      Permits

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC

      Our Species

      Henslow sparrow singing from grass stem
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      Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is a Globally Important Bird Area and hosts one of the world鈥檚 largest populations of Henslow鈥檚 sparrows. The refuge also provides nesting habitat for cerulean warblers, temporary wetlands and grasslands for state endangered crawfish frogs and habitat for many other rare species of animals and plants.

      Projects and Research

      Adult crawfish fog on ground at Big Oaks NWR
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      Big Oaks has been monitoring and managing for the state endangered crawfish frog for many years.  Other research projects have included the monitoring of Indiana bats, saw-whet owls,American burying beetles, and American kestrels.

      Northern saw whet owl perched on branch
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      Northern saw-whet owls migrate through Indiana every fall and banding has taken place at Big Oaks for many years to learn more about the owl's distribution and abundance. Banding takes place on nights in early Novem ber where the birds are caught in mist nets (similar to a fine mesh tennis net).