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Florida

When to catch St. Marks Refugeat its best

St. Marks Refuge through the year: spring migration (usually: early in the month (April)), wildlife by season (3 separate phases, from May), wildflowers (local timing: September) and winter wildlife (local timing: between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat chance showers and thunderstorms, 88°F · Sun chance showers and thunderstorms, 85°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at St. Marks Refuge

Next peak here after fall

USUAL PEAK · SPRING MIGRATIONSt. Marks RefugeEarly in the month (April)Florida

“early in the month (April)” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Remind me →

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Spring migration

  • St. Marks Lighthouse and Lighthouse Levee TrailAt the end of Lighthouse Road; the Lighthouse Levee Trail (under half a mile) starts to the right of the parking lot and is open on foot, by bike and on horsebackU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Tower Pond Trail5 miles south of the visitor center, with parking next to the restrooms; the short Headquarters Pond Trail and its observation deck are across the roadU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Wildlife by season

  • St. Marks Lighthouse and Lighthouse Levee TrailAt the end of Lighthouse Road; the Lighthouse Levee Trail (under half a mile) starts to the right of the parking lot and is open on foot, by bike and on horsebackU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Lighthouse Road (CR 59)The refuge's main road: turn off US 98 and drive 3 miles to the visitor center, then on to the lighthouse at the end of the road; the gate opens at 6 a.m.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Headquarters Pond observation deckA trail of under a quarter mile, across from the Tower Pond trailhead, leads to a small wooden deck at the pond's edgeU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Wildflowers

Winter wildlife

  • Headquarters Pond observation deckA trail of under a quarter mile, across from the Tower Pond trailhead, leads to a small wooden deck at the pond's edge; park at Tower Pond, 5 miles south of the visitor center, next to the restrooms.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Lighthouse Levee TrailUnder half a mile, starting at the end of Lighthouse Road to the right of the parking lot; open on foot, by bicycle and on horseback.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at St. Marks Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodaySunny89° / 70°7% rain
  • ThuSunny89° / 73°17% rain
  • FriChance Showers And Thunderstorms88° / 72°44% rain
  • SatChance Showers And Thunderstorms88° / 72°52% rain
  • SunChance Showers And Thunderstorms85° / 70°63% rain
  • MonShowers And Thunderstorms Likely84° / 66°67% rain
  • TueChance Rain Showers80° / 63°49% rain

Today: sunrise 7:30 a.m., sunset 7:25 p.m., light until 7:49 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

St. Marks Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Sunrise at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Sunrise at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (date not given).. Photo: Francie Stoutamire, volunteer/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

What else is going on in April?

Ospreys and red-cockaded woodpeckers are nesting, eaglets begin to fly, and Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites can be seen along the roads and pools.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can roads or levees be closed when I visit?

Yes. Administrative roads and levees may close during prescribed burns and peak wildlife events, especially around eagle nests and shorebird and waterfowl areas. The visitor center has the latest closures.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Which migrations peak in early April?

Warblers and shorebirds. That's separate from the winter waterfowl peak.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What's worth looking for in May?

Purple gallinules may be in East River Pool or Plum Orchard Pond, and wood storks are sometimes seen in Headquarters Pond.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 28