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An easy few minutes from downtown Los Banos, The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge offers the people of our town a wonderful quiet place to get away from the city and peacefully observe nature. Spotting all manner of wildlife is easy at the refuge. Birds and mammals are all around and most are not quite as skittish of humans as you might expect. (Though you should NEVER approach them.)

Photo Copyright 2007 OurLosBanos.com / Memorable Places Consulting

There are over 7400 acres of habitat set aside at the San Luis Refuge, but for most people the big draw is the Tule Elk enclosure. This large fenced area encloses a small herd of Tule Elk and can be circumnavigated by automobile. These beautiful animals are something to behold. DO NOT enter the enclosure! You might also bring along some field glasses or a spotting scope to make the experience of observing the Tule Elk even more enjoyable.

There are interpretive exhibits about the elk at different 'waypoints' surrounding the enclosure and there is an observation platform with a telescope set up where visitors can go and see well over the top of the Tule Elk enclosure.

Photo Copyright 2007 OurLosBanos.com / Memorable Places Consulting

The San Luis Wildlife Refuge is a quiet place for the most part and it is also a great place to go microbe hunting if you need pond water for a school project. :-) The meandering streams and creeks are pleasant and there are a large number of birds of various kinds to be spotted everywhere.

Location & Directions:
San Luis Refuge is approximately 10 miles north of Los Banos, California. From Highway 152 in Los Banos, take Highway 165 (Mercey Springs Road) north 8 miles, then northeast 2 miles on Wolfsen Road to the refuge. The Kesterson Unit's public access point can be reached by driving 4 miles east of Gustine on Highway 140.
Click here for a map.

Other San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Web Resources:
US Fish & Wildlife Service SLNW Website
Wildernet's San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Website
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Birdwatching Checklist
Recreation.gov's San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Website

Photographs taken at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge - Click for larger images

Some older snapshots - click for larger images:

Please click on each of the pictures above to see a larger image.