About Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 50,000 acres in Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties. The refuge covers a portion of the former Jefferson Proving Ground, a munitions testing facility operated by the U.S. Army between 1940-1995. In 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began managing the wildlife resources of the proving ground. Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge was established in June 2000 as an "overlay" national wildlife refuge and now operates under a 99-year real estate permit from the Army. The Indiana Air National Guard still operates an air-to-ground bombing range on 1,033 acres of the former proving ground and this property is surrounded by, but not part of, the refuge. The refuge is designated as a Globally Important Bird Area and contains many rare species of plants and animals in the wetlands, grasslands, shrublands and forest. The refuge hosts one of the world's largest populations of Henslow's sparrows with over 500 pairs nesting on the refuge. There are at least 32 caves found on the property that provide habitat for rare invertebrate species. The wet flatwoods forests of the refuge shelter rare salamanders and several endangered bats during the warm months of the year. Some significant historic buildings and stone bridges are present on the refuge along with the a 165 acre lake (Old Timbers Lake).
How to Get There
The entrance to the refuge is on U.S. Highway 421, on the former Jefferson Proving Ground, five miles north of Madison, Indiana. Enter at the main entrance of the former Jefferson Proving Ground and follow the brown directional signs to Big Oaks office.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/4057) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge?
The entrance to the refuge is on U.S. Highway 421, on the former Jefferson Proving Ground, five miles north of Madison, Indiana. Enter at the main entrance of the former Jefferson Proving Ground and follow the brown directional signs to Big Oaks office.
How do I contact Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 812-273-0783 or email: BigOaks@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
