San Antonio, Texas

Mitchell Lake Audubon Center

A restored wetland on San Antonio's South Side where migration, water stewardship, urban ecology, and community meet along the Central Flyway.

Plan a Visit Explore Wetlands & Birds
Location San Antonio's South Side
Protected 635 acres
Bird Record 359 eBird species
Trails 7.5 walking & driving miles

Story Of The Wetland

Mitchell Lake is a layered urban conservation story: a historic ephemeral wetland and former piece of San Antonio's sewage system restored into vital habitat and public space.

Before

The landscape was known historically as Laguna de los Patos—“Lagoon of the Ducks”—an ephemeral wetland shaped by wet and dry cycles and used by people and wildlife.

20th C.

The site became part of San Antonio's wastewater system. Its later transformation shows how infrastructure landscapes can be reclaimed for habitat, learning, and community.

2004

Audubon and the San Antonio Water System formalized a partnership, and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center opened to the public as a protected wetland and education center.

Today

Staff, volunteers, and partners manage wetlands and grasslands, monitor birds, restore habitat, and improve water systems for a drier and more variable climate.

How to Visit

Mitchell Lake is a protected wildlife refuge with paid admission, seasonal hours, limited shade, and changing access during a major improvement project.

  • Construction Through 2027 Roads, trails, or areas may close temporarily during City of San Antonio bond-funded improvements. Check the official visit page before traveling.
  • Heat & Weather Most visitor areas are outdoors with limited shade. Bring water, sun protection, and walking shoes; wetland trail access can change after weather.
  • Walking & Driving Trails The center offers routes through wetlands and grasslands. The entrance gate and Visitor Center close 60 minutes before the listed closing time.
  • Protect the Refuge No fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, bicycles, rollerblades, or skateboards. Dogs are limited to service animals and designated Doggy Day events.

Wetlands & Birds

The center's value comes from habitat variety and careful water management: shallow wetlands, ponds, open water, grasslands, and edge habitat create a seasonal mosaic.

Birds Through the Seasons

More than 300 species use the site through the year. Migration, breeding, water levels, food, and changing habitat conditions continually reshape what visitors may encounter.

American White Pelican Roseate Spoonbill Black-necked Stilt Northern Bobwhite Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Crested Caracara

Water Makes Habitat

Audubon and SAWS are working to modernize how freshwater reaches the wetland basins, sustaining shallow feeding habitat during drought and extreme South Texas heat.

Shallow-water habitat Sediment capture Nutrient cycling Water quality Food webs Climate resilience

Observe by Habitat

Instead of chasing a single species, notice how bird communities change as the route moves between open water, wetland edges, native grasslands, and woody cover.

Wetlands Mudflats Ponds Open water Native grasslands Trees & shrubs

Bring binoculars, but let conditions set the pace. Visit early, check current access, move quietly, and use the changing water, vegetation, and bird activity as the day's field guide.

Sources

Hours, admission, construction, and trail access can change. Check Mitchell Lake Audubon Center before making plans. The hero is original decorative imagery, not documentary photography.