Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is located about an hour north of McKinney. Many of our members are very familiar with Hagerman and have probably been up there during the COVID quarantine. The wide-open spaces and multiple trails of Hagerman will allow us to meet but still practice appropriate social distancing.

The refuge has been open to the public for the entire quarantine time. However, the visitor center is currently not open so the facilities in the building will not be available to us. The refuge has located porta-potties near the visitor center and near the head of Meadow Pond Trail.

If you are not familiar with this location, you can learn about them on the Hagerman website. Hagerman is a great place to photograph migratory birds, wildlife, and landscapes. With luck we may get a chance to see one of the bald eagles nesting there. During the peak migratory periods, it is possible to get amazing images from your car.

Schedule

The club will meet at the butterfly garden located directly across from the visitor center. Park in the visitor center parking lot and there you are. After meeting and spending some time there, we can head to our favorite trails. Harris Creek Trail is a popular trail located across the street from the visitor center. It has 1- & 2-mile loops. Meadow Pond Trail is another popular trail that is 5 miles total.

Directions:

From Dallas: North on Hwy. 75 to US 82; west on US 82 for 5 miles; north on Hwy. 289 for 4 miles; west on Refuge Road for 4 miles.

From I-35: Exit 498A to US 82 east; US 82 east (27 miles) to Hwy. 289; north on Hwy. 289 for 4 miles; west on Refuge Road for 4 miles.