Before Word Gets Out, Visit Michigan's Most Underrated Wildlife Areas

If you think getting out in nature is “for the birds”, you’d be right. That’s if you’re visiting Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan. Hundreds of species migrate here every year, giving visitors a unique perspective on the animals that live around them.

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It’s hard to miss if you drive past it with nearly 10,000 acres of wilderness. It’s located about 25 minutes south of Saginaw in the thumb of Michigan.

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Visitors claim to have seen more than 265 species of birds. Roughly 100 of them are songbirds. The refuge is designated as an Important Bird Area due to their role in managing waterfowl migrations.

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If you visit during the fall migration season, you could see flocks of up to 25,000 Canadian Geese and 40,000 ducks. Thanks to the refuge’s efforts, this area continues to be a stop on the migratory path for these birds.

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This sprawling landscape reaches all the way up to where the Bad, Flint, and Cass Rivers converge into the Shiawassee River. The wetlands are part of the Saginaw Bay watershed, which are considered one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the state.

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The refuge opened in 1953 to provide a sanctuary for migratory birds. To this day, they continue that important work to protect species and their habitats.

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You’re also likely to see several other native animal species that thrive in these wetlands. People have reported seeing turtles, deer, and even bevers swimming through the marsh.

This vast wildlife sanctuary is not only a great escape to nature, but also a great way to see animals in their natural habitat. It’s well worth a multi-day trip to get through the whole refuge. It’s located only 15 minutes away from Frankenmuth, so make sure you check out some of these great places to stay while you’re in the area.