shiawassee national wildlife refuge

This attraction is about fifteen minutes from home. It is located where the Shiawassee, Flint, Tittebawassee, and Cass rivers join to form the Saginaw River. It is part of a natural wetlands that was drained 100 years ago and became what was known as the Prairie Farm. The area is rife with drainage canals and re-routed river channels, but this area has now been allowed to revert to its natural state. Hiking trails abound, and it is a bird watchers paradise, especially for those interested in aquatic birds, such as blue and green herons, and snowy egrets. I understand that sandhill cranes gather here during their migration, also, but I've never been there at the right time to see them. There is a one-way road that provides for a self-guided tour of the area, and it takes about an hour to navigate. There are plenty of scenic turnouts, but take care, because part of the road is on top of dikes, and there are no shoulders. No picnic facilities that I know of, but it's not that type of attraction. Bring a camera with a telephoto lens, binoculars, or a spotting scope.

Visited for the first time the other day before the cold set in. Amazing birding to be done with all the waterfowl and song birds. Can't wait to get back in the spring since it provides a tremendous resource so close to Saginaw to view wildlife. Was very happy to see trapping taking place, who knows how many waterfowl and song bird egg would otherwise be lost to predation. Wise management of such a special area. Holding to do some cross country skiing on the trails later in the winter as well as mountain biking in the summer.

I love the refuge on most days. It's a beautiful place. But today we saw two raccoons caught by their paws in live traps. They were there when we went in, and still there, suffering and shivering, when we left hours later. We spoke to staff who shrugged it off and said "we have too many of them" It spoiled our day. I was so glad I didn't have the grandkids with me this time. Tell me again why it's called a "wildlife refuge"?

It is really nice to be able to drive through the refuge when you have the time. It took probably an hour to drive through it. You see lots of birds, water, marshes and ponds, etc., possible water foul and other wild life. Very enjoyable site-seeing close to saginaw.

Allow 2 hours at least - one way for 6 1/2 miles, and not very many places to pass. Wide variety of habitat: river, fields, marsh, ponds, forest. Travel in a group to add more eyes, and a kid is very helpful in that respect. Read the latest report on EBird to see what's there, and maybe one from the year before as well.

This is a really beautiful place. It was very peaceful, and we saw numerous birds and even some deer. The sunlight the day we were there was perfect. It made everything that we saw even more gorgeous. However, we almost missed out. We visited there on a holiday, so the main office was closed. The address listed was for the facility's employee parking lot. Luckily there was a map of the refuge and after a bit of investigative driving around, we managed to find the automobile route through the refuge. We were very glad that we did. It was very peaceful.We'll be back to walk some of the trails. I think that will be a real nice excursion. Hopefully the trails will be marked a bit more abundantly ! We highly recommend this place.

Found this attraction through Tripadvisor and being an outdoor lover thought it worth investigating. As per previous reviewer's suggestion, we stopped at the ranger's station and got a map.Continued on to the actual refuge where we ended up as part of a very annoying caravan! As we did not have binoculars we didn't really see much of the touted birds in the refuge. What we did see was a great deal of the shenanigans of the car in front of us! I think coming back with the proper gear and walking the paths would have been best. It is wonderful to see our federal government doing something constructive!Take time to visit just be sure to have the right equipment for viewing.

Recommended by friends, Shiawassee is a large, impressive nature preserve. Anyone with an interest in bird-watching should try to visit this preserve.

I grew up with the SNWR a short distance from home so I've taken several walks and bike rides inside the refuge. This time I decided to try the newer option which allows you to drive through on a prescribed route and view parts of the refuge I'd never seen before. My 3 teenagers and I visited on a Tuesday afternoon as part of a day trip to Saginaw. We stopped at the park's headquarters located at the address listed on this site and obtained a map and other brochures pertaining to the park. A short drive through rich farmland and you arrive at the refuge entrance. Throughout the 6.5 mile trip we only saw 4 other vehicles which allowed for a nice leisurely drive. The gravel route is well marked and offers plenty of opportunities to pull over and enjoy nature up close. Many times you are driving atop the flood control dikes making for beautiful views of the surrounding area for miles around. We were intrigued by the beauty of the Shiawassee River with its wide body flowing so gently.Unfortunately, we found ourselves at the refuge in the early afternoon of a hot spring day, certainly not the best time for wildlife viewing as most are seeking shelter from the heat. Suggest planning your visit in the early morning or evening when the deer and other wildlife are more active. But even with our bad timing, we still saw many species of birds, cranes, and turtles. The beauty, serenity, and vastness of the 9,000 acre refuge made the drive well worth it. My only disappointment was with the main headquarters. They are housed in a beautiful building, nicely landscaped, clean restrooms. We walked in expecting an interpretation area, wildlife pictures, educational displays, etc. Nothing. The front desk was unmanned at the time, and despite hearing voices in the back offices, our visit was never acknowledged by anyone. Basically help yourself at the brochure rack and you're done. They're missing out on a valuable opportunity to provide enrichment for visitors to the refuge. A dry erase board listed different species of birds and animals seen that week, but actual pictures along with the counts would've made it something to look at. Although the park office failed to meet expectations, the actual trip to the SNWR was a wonderful experience and we will certainly visit again. If 3 teenagers can each give it a 'thumbs up', you know its a worthwhile trip. Free admission, free parking (if you choose to hike, bike, or ski). Don't forget you camera and binoculars!

My husband and I went on this drive, it was so much fun, we saw a beaver, rabbit, blue Herons, sandhill cranes, Egrets, snakes swimming, fishes jumping, deer, Eagles, ground hogs, mallard ducks, Swans, American widgets, turtles and an Osprey, am must place to visit when you are in Saginaw Michigan. It is so wonderful to see nature.

I just took the short drive to: {The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge} today! My first stop was pick up Map & couple other Free Handouts at stated Address above.. Their is a Handy Box out in Parking Lot. If Office is Closed. Then one is ready for the 6.5 mile drive. Within a couple of hours. I relized anyone who Loves Nature & Wildlife as well as Photography. Do invest in a Good Camera with a High Powered Lens. However I was Amazed even with my Nikon D80. I came back with 5 Gorgeous Photos... Highly recommend return trips! This is a simple, easy going, no hassle fun day... One can take in a lot with the Various Look-outs or walk down a Trail. Watch out for the bugs however. Loved it!

Great place to go to view nature and have some peace and quiet. Have always seen deer and lots of birds. Last fall saw a large snake the crossed the road in front of us. Must have been 6 foot long. The only problem is they close down and let people hunt deer in the fall.

At the confluence of the Tittabawassee and the Saginaw rivers, this wildlife refuge sits. The park itself encompasses a good part of the meandering Saginaw. The one way clockwise loops takes you through several ponds where you can watch hundreds of bird life and marsh animals that sometime skitter across the gravel road up ahead. You can park and hike through this marshland but cranes and egrets abound just as you ride through. There are observation decks to watch the wildlife with you high powered binoculars or with your mega camera lens on tripod. So quiet and serene with the quacking of ducks and chirping of birds only interrupted by passing onlookers rolling by with wide-eyed youngster pointing in all directions.

I live down the road from the refuge and go there every chance I can.I have ridden my bike on the trails,walked the trails and now you can drive around the refuge.It is beautiful I have had deer walking on the trail behind me you will see all kinds of wild life including Eagles and their nests.

Shiawassee is among the best wildlife preserves in the nation. It is a great place to hike and the motor route is a fantastic way to spend an hour observing wildlife. You will see several kinds of birds no matter when you visit.