Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Over 20 miles of hiking trails provide easy access to a myriad of natural wonders to be found on the Refuge.
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A 3,700-acre urban nature center and wildlife refuge in Fort Worth featuring more than 21 miles of trails through Cross Timbers forests, Fort Worth Prairie, and Trinity River bottomlands, with bison, alligators, prairie dogs, diverse birdlife, and more. Over 3600 acres, the FWNC&R is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States and offers residents and visitors the opportunity

to immerse themselves in the natural history of north central Texas . Staff naturalists at the Hardwicke Interpretive Center are available to facilitate your exploration.

09/15/2026

Countdown is ON! ⏰ North Texas Giving Day is on Thursday, September 17.

On North Texas Giving Day, all gifts to the Nature Center go directly to the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, the nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Nature Center and Refuge. Your contribution helps the Friends organization conserve native habitats, care for local wildlife, and provide impactful community programs throughout the year.

Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and get ready to make a difference!

North Texas Giving Day: https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/friends-of-the-fort-worth-nature-center-refuge-inc

Join or renew today to become a Friends member: https://naturecenterfriends.org/make-a-difference/membership/

09/14/2026

Our Natural Guard volunteers, along with volunteers from Wells Fargo, recently got a special treat: helping our team work up a small group of wild alligator hatchlings. This work helps us understand nest success and hatchling survival at the Refuge.

Recent data show that almost no nests succeed, and very few, if any, hatchlings survive their first winter. By carefully locating, studying, and marking nests and hatchlings, we can better understand how the local population is doing.

All research is fully approved and permitted by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). Do not attempt to approach or interact with alligator nests or hatchlings.

The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge does not release hatchlings into the wild. Our team only monitors native hatchlings. Any alligators displayed at the Nature Center come from captive, permitted breeding facilities. We return these individuals to their facility once they reach about three years of age.

09/13/2026

The bison are looking shiny and healthy! Our team has been working hard to restore their pastures and boost the abundance of native grasses, and it’s really paying off.

We know you’ve missed seeing them while they spent time in the west pasture rewilding, but good news — they’re back in the south pasture and can be viewed from Buffalo Road. Mornings are the best time to spot them while the weather is hot.

We’ll keep you updated on their next moves!

09/10/2026

Visit the Limestone Ledge for our StoryWalk and read Buffalo Fluffalo. If you cannot make it, here you go...

This program is for 3 - 5 year old children for a lesson about our natural world through a story, lesson, hike, and craf...
09/09/2026

This program is for 3 - 5 year old children for a lesson about our natural world through a story, lesson, hike, and craft. Join us in discovering armadillos. Pre-registration required. $15 (with paid admission)/MEMBERS $10. Pre-School Discovery Club - Armadillo is scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2026 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. Click the link below to register.

Photo Courtesy: K.P. Wilska

September 11, 2026
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The Nature Center will be open on Monday, September 7, 2026. Normal operating hours are from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. with no new...
09/07/2026

The Nature Center will be open on Monday, September 7, 2026. Normal operating hours are from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. with no new admission after 4 p.m. We will be having our Fishes of Tarrant County at the Hardwicke Interpretive Center from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and it is FREE (with paid admission). We will also have an educational program about vultures. Join us for both. Below is a link to register for the vulture program.

Sky Scavengers - September 7, 2026
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/cityoffortworth/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=52671&viewMode=list

If you have visited the Nature Center on Memorial Day for Snakes of Tarrant County, you were not disappointed. You will ...
09/06/2026

If you have visited the Nature Center on Memorial Day for Snakes of Tarrant County, you were not disappointed. You will not be disappointed this Labor Day weekend (September 6 & 7) when we host our 1st annual "Fishes of Tarrant County." Mark Pyle, well known creator of the page, "what kind of snake is this? North Texas Educational Group," will be exhibiting a wide diversity of fish found in Tarrant County. Stop by the Hardwicke Center between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily to learn about fish. FREE (with paid admission).

Address

9601 Fossil Ridge Road
Fort Worth, TX
76135

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 7am - 5pm
Sunday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

(817) 392-7410

Website

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