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The Flickr site is brought to you courtesy of Seney Natural History Association.
Father and son at the Visitor Center. Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Trumpeter Swan.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Orange Bolete.
Credit: Dale Maxson, Intern.
Snapping Turtle.
Credit: Michael Youngblood,
2010 Photo Contest.
Refuge Pool.
Credit: Peter Rea, Intern.
Bald Eagles.
Credit: Theresa McGill.
River Otters.
Credit: Dmitry Azovtev,
Flickr - Creative Commons.
Common Milkweed with Bee.
Credit: Barbara Hysell, 2010 Photo Contest.
Red Pines.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Bobcat.
Credit: Valerie Abbott,
Flickr - Creative Commons.
Downy Woodpecker.
Credit: Peter de Wit,
Flickr - Creative Commons.
Painted Lady.
Credit: Thomas Barnes, USFWS.
Green Heron.
Credit: Theresa McGill.
Kids and the "Songs of Seney".
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Red Squirrel.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Manistique River.
Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern
Common Yellowthroat.
Credit: Kelly Colganazar,
Flickr - Creative Commons.
Wood Duck. Credit: USFWS.
Merlin. Credit: Theresa McGill.
Winter leaves. Credit: Kimber Reagle, 2010 Photo Contest.
Spider.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Visitor Center Deck.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Trees burned by prescribed fires.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Red Fox. Credit: Theresa McGill.
Red Raspberries.
Credit: Sara Hollerich, USFWS.
Big Brown Bat.
Credit: Dasha Gaian,
Flickr - Creative Commons.
Refuge Pool. Credit: Jim Lynch, 2007 Photo Contest - 1st Place Landscape.
Paper birch with black-eyed susan. Credit: Mary Taylor, 2010 Photo Contest.
A boy bird watches. Credit: Michelle Edwards, 2007 Photo Contest - 1st Place Recreation.
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Seney NWR is a great place to watch wildlife, get out into nature and go exploring. Winter, spring, summer and fall, come out and enjoy them all. Located in the middle of the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan, there are so many ways to experience the Refuge. Whether you would like to drive the self-guided auto tour, stop by the Visitor Center, walk our trails, go hunting or fishing, take photographs, canoe, kayak, snowshoe, ski, or partake in a special event or program, the Refuge is a wonderful place to visit.
Hours
Visitor Center: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 15th to mid-October, daily including holidays.
Refuge: Open daylight hours – dawn to dusk. Camping is not allowed, except by special permit (November 13th to 30th) during regular firearms White-tailed Deer season.
Administrative Office: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday year round, closed for federal holidays.
Dates Open: The Visitor Center, Marshland Wildlife Drive, and Fishing Loop are open May 15 to mid-October. Dates vary each year. The Visitor Center will remain open until the Sunday following National Wildlife Refuge Week.
Cost: There is no cost to visit the Refuge or participate in the majority of special events or programs.
Explore The Refuge!
If you have (30 minutes, etc.):
- Visitor Center Movie “The Wonder of Nature” shown on request during Visitor Center Hours - 15 minutes
- Visitor Center Exhibits - 30-45 minutes
- Pine Ridge Nature Trail - 1 hour
- Marshland Wildlife Drive - at least 1 hour
If you have all day…
- Canoe or kayak the Manistique River
- Bike or hike through the backcountry
- Visit the Whitefish Point Unit
- Don’t forget to check our calendar for special events and activities.
WELCOME TO YOUR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE!
Sandhill Cranes at the Entrance Road to Seney NWR. Credit: Bart Spratto, 2010 Photo Contest.
Visitor Center
Open May 15th to mid-October, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays. Highlights include exhibits, a children’s touch table, “The Wonder of Nature” film, and a bookstore. Binoculars, field guides, and GPS units can be checked out free of charge courtesy of Seney Natural History Association and Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
The Marshland Wildlife Drive and Fishing Loop
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Marshland Drive.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern. |
The Marshland Wildlife Drive is a 7 mile one-way tour route which follows alongside wetlands, meadows, and forests. Three wheelchair accessible observation decks with viewing scopes make this a great wildlife watching opportunity. Visitors can opt to take the Fishing Loop, which will add about one and a half miles onto the Marshland Wildlife drive. It consists of some different habitats making it another popular auto tour. Both tours start and end at the same place. The Marshland Wildlife Drive is open from May 15th to mid-October from dawn to dusk and the Fishing Loop is open May 15th to September 30th. The tour loops are closed to motorized vehicles the rest of the year but walking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing are still allowed. The tour loops are closed in the fall, winter, and spring to allow migrating and nesting birds a place to rest or nest undisturbed, and because of large amounts of snow.
WARNING: The Marshland Wildlife Drive and Fishing Loop are narrow winding roads with no shoulders; some motor homes and busses are not allowed on the drive. It is not recommended to attempt the drive unless the driver is very skilled, knows their vehicle very well, and is used to driving it on narrow winding roads. The Refuge cannot be responsible for vehicles stuck on the drive.
The Maximum Dimensions for vehicles entering the drive:
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Boy looking through scope.
Credit: Steve Hillebrand, USFWS. |
- It is recommended that vehicles over 25 feet long not attempt the tour loop.
- Vehicles over 29 feet long are not allowed.
- A wheelbase 234 inches or less is critical.
- Turning radius: 45 degrees
- Width: Maximum 8 to 9 feet.
- If you are traveling with a trailer you may disconnect the trailer in the parking lot to complete the tour loop.
The Pine Ridge Nature Trail
Starting from the Visitor Center, the 1.5 mile Pine Ridge Nature loop trail, takes visitors through a variety of landscapes. Songbirds, swans, and beaver are common sightings along the trail. The Wigwam Connector Trail takes visitors on an additional 1 mile walk round trip to the Wigwam Rest Area where picnic tables and an outhouse are available.
Biking/ Hiking
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| Bikers. Credit: Jim Hill. |
Hiking and biking are wonderful ways to see the Refuge. All Refuge roads are open to bikers and hikers, but the Refuge Manager may close some areas during peak migration, due to maintenance or management activities. Check at the Visitor Center or watch the roads for closure signs. The Pine Ridge Nature Trail and the cross-country ski trails are not open to bicycles. Refuge staff members drive through the backcountry while conducting surveys so please be aware of the possibility of vehicles on the roads. To help you plan your visit, mileage is marked on the Refuge map. Outfitters in Germfask rent bikes to interested parties.
Canoeing / Kayaking
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| Kayakers. Credit: USFWS. |
Enjoy a day of paddling along the Manistique River which flows through the south eastern portion of the Refuge. Outfitters are located in Germfask and will rent boats or provide a shuttle upon request. Use is limited to daylight hours with no overnight camping allowed. While paddling is allowed on the Driggs River it is not recommended due to numerous snags, shallow water, and limited access by road. Boats and flotation devices of any kind are not allowed on the Refuge pools.
Fishing
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| Zac Ott with his Pike at Children's Fishing Day 2010. Credit: Annie Davies, SNHA Intern. |
Fishing is open on the Refuge from May 15 – September 30th, with an ice fishing season from January 1st to February 28th. Anglers should refer to the fishing brochure which lists the pools and dates each are open for fishing. An accessible fishing pier can be found on the Fishing Loop. Species found on the Refuge include Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Brook Trout, and sunfish. To protect the Trumpeter Swan and Common Loon, lead sinkers cannot be used on the Refuge. A list of refuge specific rules and regulations, as well as, maps and other information can be found on the fishing page.
Hunting
Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock, Common Snipe, Snowshoe Hare, White-tailed Deer, and Black Bear may be hunted during some state seasons in designated areas with the proper licenses. Only approved non-toxic shotgun shot will be allowed on the Refuge. For Refuge specific rules and regulations, as well as, maps and other information visit our hunting page.
Interpretation and Environmental Education
Throughout the year several interpretive and environmental education programs are offered at the Refuge free of charge. If you are interested in participating in a program check the calendar to coordinate your visit.
Wildlife Observation and Photography
Wildlife observation and photography are encouraged on the Refuge. Please respect closed areas and remember not to get too close to wild animals as they are unpredictable. Have fun and enjoy yourself. If you get a great shot consider entering it in the Seney National Wildlife Refuge Amateur Photo Contest. To enter simply follow the instructions provided on the photo contest flyer (PDF file size 930 KB). If you need extra permission forms you may print them here.
Geocaching
There are ten caches located throughout the Refuge. They are considered virtual caches since there is not a container or item hidden at the site. Instead the seeker must take a picture of them self at the site with the defining feature and bring the picture back to the Refuge office or Visitor Center to claim their prize. The defining feature will be outlined in the clue provided on the geocaching site. If you are the first to log a cache you will receive a trackable geocoin.
Cross-country Skiing
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| Cross-country skiing. Credit: USFWS. |
The Northern Hardwoods Cross-country Ski Area offers nine miles of groomed Nordic trails. Turn west off M-77 onto Robinson Road 1/3 miles south of the blinking light in Germfask. The trail head is at the end of the road. Brochures with maps are available during the ski season at the trail head kiosk or print your own copy of the cross-country ski trail brochure.
Outfitters in Germfask rent cross-country skis to interested parties.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere on the Refuge, except on groomed ski trails. Crossing the pools is not recommended as thin ice conditions may exist. Outfitters in Germfask rent snowshoes to interested parties.
Snowmobiles
Snowmobiles are not allowed on the Refuge.
DIRECTIONS TO SENEY:
Seney National Wildlife Refuge is located 80 - 90 miles from Marquette, Sault Sainte Marie, and Escanaba and about 30 to 40 miles from Munising, Manistique, and Newberry.
The Whitefish Point Unit is located about 45 miles from Newberry, 70 miles from Sault Sainte Marie, 105 miles from Manistique or Munising, and 150 -160 miles from Marquette or Escanaba.
Use the map below to get directions from your house!
View Seney National Wildlife Refuge in a larger map
Things to Bring
- Sunglasses
- Bug Spray
- Water Bottle
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Suntan Lotion
- Comfortable shoes for walking/hiking
- Bike
- Fishing Pole
- Fishing License
- Non-lead sinkers - also available in our bookstore
- Bait - please take your worms home with you.
- Snowshoes
- Cross-country skis
Refuge Rules
- Please do not feed the wildlife.
- Daylight use only, from dawn to dusk.
- Dogs are allowed on leash, with exception to the use of dogs in coordination with certain hunting seasons. See the hunting regulations for more information.
- No Camping or overnight parking is allowed.
- Off-road vehicles are prohibited.
- Open fires are not allowed.
- Leave only footprints and take only pictures. Please take your trash with you and leave our flowers, rocks, and other natural items there for others to enjoy.
- No boats or flotation devices are allowed on Refuge Pools, canoeing and kayaking are allowed on the Manistique and Driggs Rivers.
- Only approved non-toxic sinkers and shot are allowed on the Refuge.
- If you are fishing, please take your live bait home with you. Do not leave them on the Refuge.
- Although a new laws allows for the concealed carry of firearms for properly licensed people on National Wildlife Refuges, the new law does not allow the weapons to be carried into federal buildings or facilities.
- For more specific details on fishing or hunting regulations check out the fishing and hunting webpages.
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