Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MISSISSIPPI SANDHILL CRANE NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge is located along I-10 in southern
Mississippi. To reach the headquarters and visitor center, take exit 61 onto Gautier-Vancleave
Road and go north about 0.5 mile; the entrance road is to the right with an information booth
just past the entrance. A short drive brings you to the visitor center where there are daily slide
shows and films about the cranes. The visitor center and the road to it are open 8:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed on weekends.
Behind the visitor center is a 0.75 mile nature trail that takes you past some beautiful bayou
swamps and through a pine savannah. The crane is an endangered subspecies of the sandhill
crane, and there are only about 100 Mississippi Sandhill cranes left. The entire refuge com-
prises three units that cover more than 19,000 acres, so, seeing one of the cranes can be a
matter of luck. Nonetheless, the refuge is a lovely area that preserves a habitat that has been
mostly lost along the Gulf coast. During January and February, the refuge personnel will take
groups out to blinds for a better chance to observe the cranes. Call ahead for arrangements:
601-497-6322. Although the chances of seeing a crane here are low, this refuge gives one the
best spot in Alabama and Mississippi to attempt to see Sandhill cranes, as the members of
this subspecies remain at the refuge year-round.
Sandhill Crane
