Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge

Did you know Corpus is known as being the "Birdiest City in America"? Well, according to the city's visitor website it is!I open this review with this observation because the Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge is without a doubt one of Corpus' most popular "birding" destinations. You can almost be assured that if you are visiting this park on a nice day, you will come in contact with both "birders" and "bird watchers" alike. I am not a birder, per se, but I am an overall nature lover, which makes me kind of a bird watcher by definition. In any event, like most normal people, I genuinely appreciate any and all aspects of nature. The park is kind of a not so hidden gem in that it is in an ideal location, but not frequented a lot by locals. It is located off Ennis Joslin just South of TAMUCC (Texas A&M University Corpus Christi) and the innaccessble part (by the public) of the naval base. It is actually smack dab in the middle of all the public university housing, which explains a lot.It is a beautiful wildlife refuge on the bay. There are more than enough trails to keep one moving and entertained with the endless views of beholden beauty that nature bestows upon us.

Three stars only because the last time I took my grandson there were discarded underwear, used condoms and lots of other trash on the ground ans in the plants. The playground area was okay, the nasty stuff was by the water, including a half submerged lawn chair.

We have been doing some exploring around the area and came across this wildlife refuge. We love to be outdoors with our dog! The trails aren't very well kept and the trees and bushes are overgrown. I'm not sure if it's because it's winter time, but it just seems that this place isn't maintained. There are nice views of the water and plenty of birds.

Lovely park with lots of trees and plants, hiking trail, boardwalk and viewing platform. There were so many birds and watching the them on the shore while enjoying the breeze was incredibly relaxing. With regards to the complaints about mosquitoes - this is a WILDLIFE area in TEXAS. There's going to be mosquitoes - ditch the "natural" stuff and get some real repellent and enjoy something legitimately natural...the scenery!

I want to give this place a good rating but there were TONS of mosquitoes and after using a natural bug spray, they still wouldn't let up. The trail was nice and a little hilly, but makes for a better workout.., though it's a bit bumpy for a stroller that isn't meant to off-road. They have 2 play place jungle gyms for kids, one for the smaller ones and one for a bit older kids, my complaint is that when we were on the kiddy one the ants started attacking us!! But after spraying the natural bug spray on our shoes they stopped. I'm going to come back simply because that trail is challenging for me, not to mention SHADED! Which I feel is a MUST for Texas :P I am just going to figure out something to keep those giant skeeters away, then I will be one happy trail-goer!

There isn't much here. Loose boardwalk, rusty nails, and no animals. Only animal we saw was a water moccasin. Sad that this place isn't kept in better shape.

This is a nice spot for the kids. There are two playgrounds and some lovely mesquite trees for climbing. There's also a little wooden stage or deck. I'm not sure of its purpose, but it's an added structure to play on. You're a short walk from a water view and at one end of the wildlife trail. The trail will lead to the wildlife/birdwatching trail and eventually to the boardwalk and a nice view of Oso Bay. I really like walking this trail with kids, but might be a bit long for very little ones. I recommend parking right by the playground (near Pharaoh Dr.) instead of the main parking area of the Wildlife Refuge (Nile and Ennis Joslin) if you want to enjoy the playground area with little ones.