Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Bitter Lake is a protected area where desert and grassland meet, featuring a series of shallow lakes, wetlands, and natural sinkholes connected by groundwater. The Pecos River flows through the system, supporting diverse plant and animal life year-round.

The area was established in 1935 as a private bird sanctuary to protect migratory birds during winter months. The federal government took over its management in 1937, transforming it into an official national refuge.

The place is an internationally recognized refuge where migratory birds stop to feed and rest during their winter journey. Walking through the wetlands, you see thousands of birds moving across the water and sky in constant motion.

You can explore on foot or by bike using several marked trails that lead through different habitats and observation points. A visitor center with educational displays and binoculars available offers context about what lives in and depends on this landscape.

The water contains marine algae typically found in Gulf of Mexico bays, creating an unusual blend of salt and freshwater habitats. This rare chemistry supports more than 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies that depend on specific water conditions found nowhere else nearby.