National Wildlife Refuge Tijuana Slough
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 7, 2025
The National Wildlife Refuge Tijuana Slough is a protected area located in southern California, near the border with Mexico.
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Summary
This refuge covers over 2,500 acres and includes a variety of habitats, such as salt marshes, mudflats, and coastal sage scrub.
There are several good reasons to visit the Tijuana Slough refuge, including the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife species. Visitors can expect to see many types of birds, including migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors. In addition, the refuge is home to several rare and endangered species, such as the light-footed clapper rail and the Belding's savanna sparrow.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at the Tijuana Slough refuge include the visitor center, which features exhibits and educational programs about the local wildlife and habitats. The refuge also has several hiking trails and overlooks that provide excellent views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife.
Interesting facts about the Tijuana Slough refuge include its location along the Pacific Flyway, which is a major migratory route for birds traveling between North and South America. In addition, the refuge is situated on the border between the United States and Mexico and provides an important habitat for many species that rely on both sides of the border.
The best time of year to visit the Tijuana Slough refuge depends on what visitors hope to see. For birdwatchers, the fall and winter months are the best time to see migratory species. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers something to see and do in every season.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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