116 Shiawassee River Wetlands 

National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: US Forest Service

State Game Area
Photo: © Phil Seng

Green Point
Photo: © Phil Seng

Click on the photo to view each site.

This site is a combination of federal, state, and local natural areas that conserves a wonderful complex of river wetlands located just outside of Saginaw. The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Shiawassee River State Game Area, and the Green Point Environmental Learning Center provide access to various parts of this unique mosaic of natural areas. The Rivers and streams that come together here drain a total of 22 different counties-the largest watershed in Michigan. Wetlands and backwaters of Flint, the Shiawassee, Tittabawassee, and Cass rivers, provide fantastic habitats for a variety of wetland wildlife. Large numbers of mosquitoes are common here during spring and early summer. Come prepared.

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Wildlife Viewing

Huge concentrations of ducks and geese descend on wetlands along the Shiawassee River during their spring and fall migration. The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge alone may host more than 50,000 waterfowl at a time! Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Service

This site is home to some incredible waterfowl viewing. There is a good probability of seeing ducks and geese any time of the year, but during March/April and again in October/November, numbers of these birds may be spectacular. It is not uncommon for the refuge to host more than 30,000 ducks and an additional 25,000 geese as they travel between their breeding areas in the North and their wintering areas in the South. This site has been named one of the top 25 birding sites in America. Prothonotary warblers and brown creepers are but two of the interesting birds that spend time at the refuge. The Woodland and Ferguson Bayou nature trails wind among bottomland hardwood forest and wetland areas. An observation tower complete with a 10-power spotting scope along the Ferguson Bayou trail provides a great view of wildlife in the wetlands and bald eagles that like to perch along the river. Bicycling and skiing are allowed along the designated trail systems. Trails are open dawn to dusk year-round, except during the hunting season. Trails may flood during times of high water. Stop at the refuge headquarters for maps and other materials and to determine trail availability during autumn.