It is accessible only by boat. Roseate spoonbills are seen feeding from late summer to early winter. Numerous shore birds congregate and feed in the managed moist-soil area along the Pintail Wildlife Drive. Only Alligators Like Nutria Swamp rabbits and white-tailed deer inhabit the refuge, but the most numerous mammal is the exotic nutria, ruinous to levees but food for the alligators. Alligators and nutria are trapped, and an archery hunt for deer is permitted, limited youth waterfowl hunting is allowed.
Public fishing occurs in two refuge canals.
The water-control system installed by early rice farmers is now used for wildlife management. Keeping the area in early vegetative stages stops the invasion of Chinese tallow and wax myrtle, of no benefit to wildlife, and attracts geese and ducks. The number of visitors to Cameron Prairie NWR has been low so far only 500 to 600 per year but that is expected to change. Manager Yakupzack expects that the easily accessible new facilities will generate many new visitors, but will also create new logistical needs such as weekend staffing of the visitor center. The fast track development of Cameron Prairie NWR is due in large measure to a supportive member of congress.