Discover A Tranquil Haven: The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Do you ever just wish you could get away from it all? Escape the demands of work, errands, chores and everything else? What if I told you that you could find a tranquil haven of peace & solitude, right here in the Great Lakes Bay? Better yet, what if it was free?
Located just south of Saginaw is a 10,000-acre respite where you can walk for miles without seeing another human being. The only chatter to be heard is that exchanged between the birds and the squirrels. And the scenery in every direction looks like something from a Monet painting.
Welcome to the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
Shiawassee NWR | @mi_playground
Established in 1953, this mixture of bottomland forests and wetlands is something you need to see to believe. Open year round, the refuge allows visitors to trade traffic patterns for deer tracks, and emails for eagles.
It’s hard to put the majestic wonder of this space into words.
“It’s America the beautiful right in our own backyard,” said first-time visitor and Bay City native Neil Johnson.
Johnson and his wife, Tammy, spent four hours hiking along just one of the paths and were taken aback by the area’s beauty and the fact that the refuge seems to be a hidden asset.
Shiawassee NWR | @ninaneuschuetz
“The wildlife refuge is amazing. We’re lucky to have it,” said Zachary Branigan, Executive Director of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. “The wildlife refuge, in area, is like the size of Saginaw, and it’s right next to Saginaw and it’s amazing how many people in Saginaw have never been there or spent any time there.”
Branigan, who himself has been to the refuge hundreds of times, says he recommends the destination to folks regularly.
“It’s 10,000 acres of continuous habitat,” he said. “It’s a dream facility for wildlife enthusiasts.”
Shiawassee NWR | @mi_playground
Thanks to the folks at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge sits at the ready for visitors, providing a well-preserved, well-managed habitat for all sorts of animals to flourish.
“The thing that makes the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is that it is the origin of the Saginaw River,” Branigan said. “It’s the confluence of all the tributaries that make up the Saginaw River so you have the Flint River, the Cass River, the Shiawassee River, the Tittabawassee River — they all converge there in one big area and then they create the Saginaw River, which is only 22 miles long. It starts there and ends at the bay.”
Interestingly enough, you don’t even need to get out of your car to enjoy the beauty of the refuge. Although, rest assured you’ll want to.
Wildlife Drive | @yoga.mary
There is a 6.5-mile auto tour, known as Wildlife Drive, that allows visitors to sample some of the natural splendor of the refuge. The tour is scheduled to be open June 1 through September 30 (during daylight hours), but it’s best to check before you go because the route sometimes closes for things like flooding or nesting bald eagles. The main office at the refuge is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The refuge — which entertains an estimated 80,000 visitors per year — features more than 12 miles of public trails and is open during daylight hours. It is best to check before you go because seasonal flooding or hunting can impact area access. Pets are not permitted on the walking trails. Parking is free and there are restrooms at certain points on the property. A wealth of information is available on the refuge website: www.fws.gov/refuge/shiawassee.
Johnny Panther Quests
Visitors can even take in the refuge by boat — thanks to Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips. This local business will take 1 to 10 people out on a custom-built, shallow draft boat for a one-of-a-kind experience through the Shiawassee Flats.
Owner/operator Wil Hufton III has called the refuge his office for 31 years now. He says it’s the Everglades of Michigan (without the snakes and the alligators).
Boat excursions run $240 for a minimum of 1-2 people and then it’s $50 for each additional adult. Kids under age 12 are half price.
Call (810) 625-4057 to make a reservation or to learn more about this unique opportunity to see the refuge from another perspective.
“It is a pretty special place,” Hufton said.
Shiawassee NWR | @mi_playground
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Where to Find It
The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge headquarters is located about 5 miles south of Saginaw off highway M-13 on the corners of Curtis and Mower Road. The address is 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, MI 48601.
Shiawassee NWR | @consistently_curious
What to Bring:
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Drinking water
- Snacks
Shiawassee NWR | @mi_playground
What to Wear:
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Long sleeves and pants
- Good hiking/walking shoes
- Layered clothes for changing temperatures
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Author
Amy Belleman
A Bay City native, Amy Belleman is a journalist and former reporter for The Bay City Times. She is a wife, mother and cancer survivor who loves Saginaw Spirit hockey and adventure.
