Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

The Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge's 5.5-mile auto route makes for a comfortable, undulating loop for hikers. (Where else can you walk four or five abreast, with leashed dogs and strollers?) You can also drive or bike the auto route, stopping at many viewpoints along the way. 

Depending on the season, you’ll see an assortment of more than 200 types of waterfowl, cavity nester and raptors cruising over the relatively flat landscape. The mammal list includes elk, deer, moose, badgers, river otters, porcupines, beavers, bobcats and cougars.

The visitor center and online maps make it easy to see the range of hikes available here, including accessible boardwalks.

Between March and Oct., a $3 fee is charged per car. If you are bicycling or walking into the refuge, it is $3 per family. No entrance fees are charged from Nov. through Feb.

Short hikes radiate from the main loop: Two hikes are out-and-backs, while the third is a loop that travels by Pine Lake. 

To do the Pine Lake Loop, stop at the kiosk at the entrance on South Smith Road to pick up the required vehicle permit, and then proceed to the first parking lot a short distance before the park headquarters. The paved portion of the hiking trail follows the edge of Winslow Pool and encircles Pine Lakes. Take it slow to let the birds adjust to your presence and see how many different species of waterfowl and songbirds you can identify.

While there's plenty of activity for those who remain on the trail around the lake, there is also an option to extend the hike via the adjoining Stubblefield Trail. This trail includes views of Cheever Lake and Stubblefield Lake, and also passes through open grasslands and pine groves, where spring wildflowers should be visible in March and erupting by April.

You can bicycle into the refuge from the Fish Lake Trail or from Cheney by heading south on Cheney-Plaza Road.