Lakes and Bayous at a Texas Wildlife Refuge, Liberty,TX

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Southeast Texas, just 45 minutes from Houston and an hour from Galveston Beach. The area hosts bayous, oxbow lakes, privet swamps, and cypress-tupelo swamps. Houston, 5 National Wildlife Refuges are within a 2 hour drive.

Volunteers will help maintain access to the Knobby Knees Day Use Area trails system that winds through bayous, oxbow lakes, privet swamps, and cypress-tupelo swamps! Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge is home to 22 actively-managed trails. They are styled as primitive trails to give the visitors ‘a walk in the woods’ type of experience. Paseo de los Patos Trailhead, located at the scenic Champion Lake Public Use area, is home to the newest 2 miles of trails where an interpretive Scat Exhibit can be found along the trails. The Knobby Knees Trailhead located at the edge of Liberty Municipal park is the gateway to 9 miles of rustic trails, including shoreline vistas of the Trinity River. Finally the Great’s Egret’s Ridge Trailhead, 7 miles of trails, leads to mysterious oxbows and meandering bayous.

Volunteers will support maintenance needs including removing fallen vegetation and limbs from the trails and trimming vegetation that has grown into the trails. Other projects will include restoring tree paint and adding new signage where trail markers have faded or degraded over time.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

Area and Attractions

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Southeast Texas, just 45 minutes from Houston and an hour from Galveston Beach.The area hosts bayous, oxbow lakes, privet swamps, and cypress-tupelo swamps. Houston, 5 National Wildlife Refuges are within a 2 hour drive. A vehicle will be available to visit other federal lands in the area, including Big Thicket National Preserve and Sam Houston National Forest.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay in a modern three bedroom mobile home at Champion Lake. Amenities include a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and TV. Canoes and kayaks will be present for complimentary use. Volunteers need to bring their own towels. Host will provide all other gear, including bedding.

Registration Link: https://americanhiking.org/volunteer-vacation-trip/lakes-and-bayous-at-a-texas-wildlife-refuge-liberty-tx/