McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges, Wildlife refuges in Jefferson County, US

McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges are two federal refuges in southern Jefferson County on the upper Texas coast. McFaddin, the larger at 58,861.43 acres, lies around 29°40′N 94°09′W; Texas Point, 8,952.02 acres, sits near the Louisiana border at Sabine Pass. Together they cover 105.96 square miles of fish and wildlife habitat, much of it tidally influenced estuary.

McFaddin was established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the late 1970s, and Texas Point followed in the early 1980s. Both refuges were created in response to the sharp decline of waterfowl along the Gulf Coast, and the land was acquired from private ranches and rice farms.

The refuges lie on the Central Flyway, the migration route between Canada and South America. Wintering and migrating waterfowl use them for feeding and resting, and feeding flocks of snow geese at McFaddin have exceeded 70,000 birds. Dozens of migratory bird species also nest and raise young in the marshes.

Both refuges lie in southern Jefferson County on the upper Texas coast: McFaddin west of Sabine Pass, Texas Point next to the Louisiana border. Sea Rim State Park borders McFaddin, and the two refuges together cover 105.96 square miles of fish and wildlife habitat. Large portions are tidally influenced, so expect wet, muddy ground and plan around tides.

McFaddin holds one of the densest populations of American alligators in Texas; they are most easily seen in spring but often visible through summer and fall. Feeding flocks of snow geese at McFaddin have exceeded 70,000 birds, and Sea Rim State Park borders the refuge on the coast.