St. Marks Lighthouse at sunrise, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (place context; no monarchs, manatees or flowers shown). Photo: Francie Stoutamire, volunteer/USFWS · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
St. Marks Refugewildlife
At St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for wildlife comes in 3 separate phases, each its own display, none of them a peak: West Indian manatees in the lighthouse waters, May; White ibis, eastern kingbirds and purple martins along Lighthouse Road, July; and Migratory monarch butterflies arrive, October. Its usual window hasn't started yet this year.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Boats allowed in refuge pools March 15 through October 15 (non-motorized or electric only)NowMar–Oct
- Mar: Spring migration begins: ibis and white pelicans pass through as the ducks head north (March)Mar
- Apr: Warbler and shorebird migration peaks early in AprilApr
- Apr: Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites along the roads and pools (April)Apr
- May: Larger groups of West Indian manatees in the lighthouse waters (May)May
- Jul: Large flocks of white ibis, eastern kingbirds and purple martins along Lighthouse Road (July)Jul
- Aug: Baby alligators hatching; blue-winged teal arrive, the start of the fall migration (August)Aug
- Sep: Autumn wildflowers, with sulfur, swallowtail and skipper butterflies along the roadsides (September)NowSep
- Flint Rock (Newport Hunt Area) open for general hunting season, September to AprilNowSep–Apr
- Oct: Migrating monarch butterflies arrive in OctoberOct
- Waterfowl peak between Thanksgiving and ChristmasNov–Dec
- MayWest Indian manatees in the lighthouse watersMay
- JulyWhite ibis, eastern kingbirds and purple martins along Lighthouse RoadJuly
- OctoberMigratory monarch butterflies arriveOctober
This week at St. Marks Refuge
Right now in St. Marks Refuge · September
- Boats allowed in refuge pools March 15 through October 15 (non-motorized or electric only) · Mar–Oct
- Autumn wildflowers, with sulfur, swallowtail and skipper butterflies along the roadsides (September) · Sep
- Flint Rock (Newport Hunt Area) open for general hunting season, September to April · Sep–Apr
Next usual wildlife timingMigratory monarch butterflies arrive, October
Next 7 days
Sat, Oct 3: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 87°F, low 73°F · 38% chance of rain
Sun, Oct 4: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 87°F, low 72°F · 48% chance of rain
- Rain likely · up to 66% chanceMonday, Monday Night
Updated Tue, Sep 29, 1:26 PM EDT, source: National Weather Service.
Today here · Tue, Sep 29
Sun: rises 7:29 a.m., sets 7:26 p.m.; civil twilight ends 7:50 p.m.
Moon tonight: waning gibbous, 87% lit (at 10 p.m.).
Sun and moon: our calculation, flat horizon. How these work
Where to watch
- 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 horseback
- 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.
- 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
Nearby
- Carolina Sandhills Refuge378 mi3 separate phases, from April through OctoberTuSunnyWePatchy Fog then SunnyThSunnyFrSunny, rain likelySaSlight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyMoChance Rain Showers, rain likely
- National Key Deer Refuge415 mi3 separate phases, from May and JuneTuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyWeShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyFrShowers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyMoSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likely
- Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge726 miLocal timing: late February through early April · starts in ~5 months
- Padre Island National Seashore818 miAt one spot: mid-June through August · starts in ~9 months
St. Marks Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge?
In 3 separate phases: West Indian manatees in the lighthouse waters, May, White ibis, eastern kingbirds and purple martins along Lighthouse Road, July and Migratory monarch butterflies arrive, October. They're separate displays, not one long season, and none of them is a peak.
Is it the season at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not yet: its usual wildlife timing is Migratory monarch butterflies arrive, October.
Can I go inside the lighthouse?
The keeper's quarters are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the schedule can change, so check with the visitor center (850-925-6121).Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What is summer like here?
Hot and humid, with a variety of biting insects. Late fall through early spring is usually cool, with some afternoon showers.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I paddle the refuge pools?
From March 15 through October 15, in non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors only.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How much is the entrance fee?
$5 per vehicle, $1 per bike or pedestrian, or $25 for an annual refuge pass. America the Beautiful passes are honored.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge?
St. Marks Lighthouse and Lighthouse Levee Trail: at 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 horseback; 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.; Headquarters Pond observation deck: a trail of under a quarter mile, across from the Tower Pond trailhead, leads to a small wooden deck at the pond's edge.
What is St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Waterfowl peak between Thanksgiving and Christmas (Nov–Dec), Migrating monarch butterflies arrive in October (Oct), Warbler and shorebird migration peaks early in April (Apr), Boats allowed in refuge pools March 15 through October 15 (non-motorized or electric only) (Mar–Oct), Spring migration begins: ibis and white pelicans pass through as the ducks head north (March) (Mar), Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites along the roads and pools (April) (Apr), Autumn wildflowers, with sulfur, swallowtail and skipper butterflies along the roadsides (September) (Sep), Larger groups of West Indian manatees in the lighthouse waters (May) (May), Large flocks of white ibis, eastern kingbirds and purple martins along Lighthouse Road (July) (Jul), Baby alligators hatching; blue-winged teal arrive, the start of the fall migration (August) (Aug) and Flint Rock (Newport Hunt Area) open for general hunting season, September to April (Sep–Apr).
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)