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Driving Directions

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is located in Saginaw County, Michigan. The refuge’s headquarters is located about 5 miles south of Saginaw off of highway M-13 on the corners of Curtis and Mower Road.

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
6975 Mower Road
Saginaw, MI 48601

Fees

There is no charge to visit.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available inside the refuge headquarters. The Ferguson Bayou and Woodland trails also have comfort stations.

Points of Interest

Let our staff at the refuge headquarters help you plan your visit! This is a great starting point for visitors to become more familiar with the refuge and the wildlife that live here. 

What To Do

Visitors can enjoy the ability to explore more than 15 miles of trails. The Ferguson Bayou Trail, one of our most popular trails, borders the restored 1,000-acre Maankiki Marsh. Visitors can also gain from a visit to the seasonal wildlife drive auto tour (typically opens June 1 and closes October 1).

Know Before You Go

Many of the refuge’s trails and the auto tour route experience seasonal flooding and may be closed. Trails may also be closed in the fall and winter for the refuge hunting program. Poison ivy may be found along many of the trails.

To be prepared out on the refuge, remember to bring:

  • Binoculars or camera
  • Sunglasses
  • Insect repellant/long sleeves and pants
  • Drinking water
  • Snacks (please don’t litter)
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable shoes for walking or hiking
  • Dress in layers for changing temperatures

Visitor Tips

  • Morning and evening are the best times to visit to see wildlife
  • Remember to check for ticks when you leave
  • Before you visit you can check iNaturalist, eBird or Saginawbaybirding.org for recent sightings to see what other guests have seen
  • Weekends are the busiest times on the refuge, but there are plenty of places to spread out
  • April and May are the best months to see spring migratory birds
  • September and October are the best months for fall migratory birds
  • Fall color peak is usually the second or third week of October

Trails

The refuge offers several trail systems that highlight the unique features of the area. Trails are open year round except for days during hunting periods. Outside of hunting closures, trails are open seven days a week, during daylight hours only. No pets or horses are allowed on any of the trails.

The Woodland Trail

Address: 5050 Stroebel Rd, Saginaw, MI 48609
Open Season: Open year round: Walking spring to fall, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Seasonal closures during periods in the fall due to hunting. Not open to dogs or horseback riding.
Length: 4.5 miles
Surface and difficulty: Flat, dirt and gravel
Information: Located off of Center and Stroebel Roads on the north side of the refuge, offers more than 4.5 miles of trails. These rather primitive trails wind through bottomland hardwood forest and take you past historic landmarks left from the coal mining industry in the early 1900s. These trails are popular with mountain bikers, hikers and cross-country skiers. Trail use may be limited due to seasonal flooding and wet conditions.

The Ferguson Bayou Trail

Address: 6000 Bishop Road, Saginaw, MI 48601
Open Season: Open year round: Walking spring to fall, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Seasonal closures during periods in the fall due to hunting. Not open to dogs or horseback riding.
Length: 4.5 miles
Surface and difficulty: Flat, dirt and gravel
Information: Located at the west end of Curtis Road on the south side of the refuge, offers more than 4.5 miles of trails. This trail follows graveled roads on the tops of dikes and offers views of croplands, sloughs, forests, fields, wetlands and pools. Two observation towers, equipped with spotting scopes, are located along this trail so you can take a closer look at ducks, geese, deer and other wildlife. These trails are popular with hikers, skiers and casual bicyclers.

Green Point Environmental Learning Center Trails

Address: 3010 Maple Street, Saginaw, MI 48602

Open Season: Open year round: Walking spring to fall, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Stays open during the fall. Not open to dogs or horseback riding.
Length: 2.5 miles
Surface and difficulty: Flat, dirt and gravel
Information: Located in Saginaw, offers more than 2.5 miles of trails. These trails wind through a bottomland hardwood forest and offer views of forest, fields, wetlands and the Tittabawassee River. Trail surfaces range from mowed grass to woodchips to gravel. Various groups use the trail system for educational purposes. Bicycles are not allowed on Green Point's trails. Popular trail with hikers and skiers. Trail use may be limited due to seasonal flooding and wet conditions.

The Wildlife Drive (Auto Tour Route)

Address: 6000 Bishop Road, Saginaw, MI 48601
Open Season: Open June 1 to September 30 during daylight hours including all federal holidays. Gates open at sunrise and close one hour before sunset. All vehicles must exit the drive by sunset.
Length: 6.5 miles
Surface and difficulty: Flat, dirt and gravel
Information: Thewildlife drive is typically open from June 1 - September 30, from sunrise to one hour before sunset. Please note that the route may be closed due to flooding, soft roads or other special conditions such as events or wildlife needs, like nesting bald eagles. 

The wildlife drive meanders past forests, grasslands, marshes, open water pools and the Shiawassee River. Visitors will have the opportunity to see a great diversity of wildlife.

The usage of bikes are prohibited on the Wildlife Drive.

Wildlife Drive Hours:

  • June
    • Gate open: 6:00 a.m.
    • Gate close: 8:15 p.m.
    • Must exit by: 9:15 p.m.
  • July
    • Gate open: 6:15 a.m.
    • Gate close: 8:10 p.m.
    • Must exit by: 9:10 p.m.
  • August
    • Gate open: 6:45 a.m.
    • Gate close: 7:35 p.m.
    • Must exit by: 8:35 p.m.
  • September
    • Gate open: 7:15 a.m.
    • Gate close: 6:45 p.m.
    • Must exit by: 7:45 p.m.

Unofficial Trails

City Trails - The former Germania Golf Club trails has 4.5 miles of formerly paved golf cart trails. This will undergo a transformation as it is partially restored and enhanced. The option to utilize these flat surface trails remain available for the public. Visitors can park at Green Point Environmental Learning Center or along Maple Street.

Headquarters Loop - This loop trail is half a mile. It is a flat, grassy surface that travels along small ponds and lower vegetation.

Open House Weekend Only - Levee tops, service roads and the wilderness area wilderness area
Wilderness areas are places untamed by humans. The Wilderness Act of 1964 allows Congress to designate wilderness areas for protection to ensure that America's pristine wild lands will not disappear. Wilderness areas can be part of national wildlife refuges, national parks, national forests or public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Learn more about wilderness area
can also provide pleasant and longer hiking experiences.

Other Facilities in the Complex

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge staff also manage Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge consisting of the Lake Huron islands: Scarecrow, Big and Little Charity and Sugar Islands and Crooked.

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge staff also manage Michigan Wetland Management District consisting of: Schlee, Malan, Kinney and Edger Waterfowl Production Areas.

Rules and Policies

All rules, regulations and policies support the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Locations

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
6975 Mower RoadSaginaw,MI48601-9783

Headquarters Office: Open Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and closed for all federal holidays. The office may be closed due to weather if local school are closed.

Trails: The refuge is open daily from dawn until dusk for approved activities.

Driving Directions

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is located in Saginaw County, Michigan. The refuge’s headquarters is located about 5 miles south of Saginaw off of highway M-13 on the corners of Curtis and Mower Road.

Hours
Refuge Headquarters
Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 4:00PM
The Wildlife Drive Auto Tour
6000 Bishop RoadSaginaw,MI48601

Auto Tours: Scheduled to open annually June 1 to Sept. 30 during daylight hours including all federal holidays. Gates open at sunrise and close one hour before sunset. All vehicles must exit the drive by sunset.   Please note that the route may be closed due to flooding, soft roads, or other special conditions such as events or wildlife needs, like nesting bald eagles.

Driving Directions

The Wildlife Drive auto tour is in Saginaw County part of Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. The Wildlife Drive is located about 9 miles south of I-675 and five miles west of highway M-13.

Hours
Wildlife Drive Seasonal Hours
June - Daily
6:00 a.m. - 8:15 p.m., Must exit by: 9:15 p.m.
July - Daily
6:15 a.m. - 8:10 p.m., Must exit by: 9:10 p.m.
August - Daily
6:45 a.m. - 7:35 p.m., Must exit by: 8:35 p.m.
September - Daily
7:15 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Must exit by: 7:45 p.m.