St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge's Behind the Gates Tour Returns

The popular tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the refuge's 88,000 acres and learn about conservation efforts.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Florida has brought back its popular Behind the Gates tour, allowing the public to explore areas of the 88,000-acre refuge that are typically closed off. The tram tour takes visitors through management areas, prescribed burn plots, and other parts of the refuge to educate them on the conservation work being done to protect endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and frosted salamander.

Why it matters

The Behind the Gates tour is an important way for the refuge to engage with the local community and educate the public about the scope of its conservation efforts. Many people are unaware of the refuge's existence or the work it does to protect the local ecosystem and wildlife.

The details

The tour is led by interpretive park ranger Taymar Gorelick, who points out the refuge's water control structures, prescribed burn plots, and other management areas during the drive. Visitors get to see firsthand the different habitat types and learn how the refuge's work supports endangered species. The tours were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic but have now returned, filling up quickly as people look to learn more about the refuge.

  • The Behind the Gates tour returned after ending due to COVID-19.
  • The tours for February 2026 are already filled up.

The players

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

An 88,000-acre wildlife refuge in Florida that is home to endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and frosted salamander.

Taymar Gorelick

An interpretive park ranger who leads the Behind the Gates tour and educates visitors about the refuge's conservation efforts.

Tom Jackson

A local resident who plans to attend the Behind the Gates tour and is looking forward to birdwatching at the refuge.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's important for folks to just know that an area like this exists, 88,000 acres of protected, safe habitat for these animals, not only for these animals, but a National Wildlife Refuge is owned by the people, for the people, and so this is land for the public to come use.”

— Taymar Gorelick, Interpretive Park Ranger (wtxl.com)

“So you know, you have a juxtaposition here of Northern birds and southern birds, because all the Northern birds come here in the winter. And besides that, you know, you see 10 great blue herons at once, you know, and 10 great egrets, where I live in Tallahassee, you might see one once in a while, but you come here, and there's literally thousands.”

— Tom Jackson, Local Resident (wtxl.com)

What’s next

The refuge's social media pages will be updated with information on upcoming Behind the Gates tours, as the February 2026 tours have already filled up.

The takeaway

The Behind the Gates tour at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge provides a rare opportunity for the public to learn about the refuge's critical conservation work and the diverse wildlife it protects, helping to raise awareness and engagement with this important natural resource.