Mitchell Lake Audubon Center — Attraction in San Antonio

It’s not a bad place to get outside and enjoy some wildlife. This place is a perfectly maintained spot for those birds migrating through South Texas during the fall, or the spring. If you go during the right time of the year, you should see plenty of waterfowl migrating through. If you take a hike in the 1.5 miles of wooded trails, and pay attention, you’ll see all sorts of other bird species.

The walking here is easy. It’s very flat, some of it is paved, and most of it is smooth gravel roads. You can even drive through the area if you are unable to walk it. Even the wooded trails are smooth and level - not rocky at all (but no driving there).

If you are walking it, make note that about 90% of it is in the sun, so take PLENTY of water. You can probably get between 3 and 4 miles out of it if you decide to take every single path.

I’ve been out there twice now, and most of the people I usually see are near the front area attending the birding tours, etc. I have hardly seen any pedestrians or cars on the further stretches of the lake and retaining ponds.

It’s $5 per person to enter, and YES, they DO accept credit cards.

I can tell you that if you visit during the late summer and early fall, you will see a TON of American White Pelicans in the actual lake area. I mean TONS of them! Also, quite a variety of gulls, ibis, egrets, and herons at this time of the year. Fellow Yelper Stephen C tells me that later in the fall, many more ducks will migrate through - I’m going to have to make another trip out there soon just for that.

I also want to give a huge shout out to Stephen C. for spending so much time volunteering here to keep this place an active birding spot for San Antonians and...

I got involved with birding later in life and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center has had a regular visitor in me. I owe so much to this place. Not only is the birding top notched, but the employees that I have encountered have been fantastic. A former employee (Angel) gave me several binoculars to try out when I was searching for a pair I would be happy with. All the team has been incredible to me.

The grounds have miles of both walking and hiking trails. Hundreds of birds visit Mitchell Lake and rarely do I record any less that 50 species per visit. They also offer bird walks with friendly and experienced experts (Christian is a wonderful guide) to help you build you life list! In addition to birds, once can expect the whole gamete of wildlife including reptiles, mammals, butterflies, dragonflies and the like. I have found everything from rattlesnakes to bobcats here...a magical spot for all nature lovers.

Some of the highlight birds I have seen over the last few years include Rosate Spoonbill, Says Pheobe, Verdin, Thrashers, Avocets, Pelicans, Stilts, Owls...you name it. The unique topography of the entire Mitchell Lake site accommodates everything from water fowl to sparrows. The miles of road around the ponders are great this time of year when it gets too hot to walk.

All in all, Mitchell Lake Audubon center is one of my favorite birding locations. I...

This is a must stop for anyone remotely interested in birding & nature. Located in south San Antonio, the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is stewarded by the Texas Audubon Society. The love and caring for this amazing area is readily apparent. Visitors can choose to hike some or all of the seven miles of available trails or take a break and watch birds feeding from the visitor center front porch. The visitors center is housed in a wonderful turn of the century home offering a resource room, small gift shop, drinks and even a few snacks to purchase. Bring a lunch and enjoy a relaxing moment watching the many birds that inhabit this 624-acre site. With a mixture of brushland, grassland, mud flats, shallow ponds, deep ponds, and a deep water lake. Mitchell Lake is positioned on a natural migratory bird route and serves as a resting point for tens of thousands of birds each year.

In our travels around this beautiful country we've had the pleasure to visit many water treatment areas. They're the perfect places to see local and migrating birds. They’re also the perfect places to hike AND enjoy an areas local flora and fauna. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center stands out as a top must visit destination when visiting San Antonio.

Check the local website for current visiting hours and special programs and tours. Currently, there is a entrance fee of $5 for adults and $2...