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Established nearly 100 years ago, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah protects the Bear River delta as it empties into the Great Salt Lake. Millions of birds migrate through the area, relying on the rich habitat to sustain them on their journeys that can be thousands of miles. More than 100,000 people visit the refuge each year, including students from local classrooms and visitors from across the world. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, we at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service celebrated with neighbors and friends at an all-day event on April 4, 2026. Keep reading to learn more about the celebration and all the ways you and your family can enjoy the refuge!
Grand openings
There are many ways to enjoy nature at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – one of the most popular is the 12-mile auto-tour route. Cars help camouflage our presence, acting as a moving blind. This allows people close-up views of amazing wildlife. There are frequent pullouts along the way, so you can stop and take photos or observe a favorite species like the American avocet. Those attending the recent celebration participated in the grand opening of our temporary auto-tour route. Also 12 miles long, this alternative route allows visitors to experience new parts of the refuge. On the day of the celebration, cars were lined up before the new route opened for the chance to experience the temporary route!
The refuge also celebrated the grand opening of two other new visitor experiences. The outdoor patio area was renovated and has new binocular viewers and planter boxes. Thanks to these new features, families will have a new way to enjoy the views from the patio. The new interactive garden area in the Outdoor Nature Explore Classroom was enjoyed by families and people of all ages. Throughout the celebration day, almost 500 folks enjoyed junior ranger activities, crafts, seed planting and scavenger hunts. There was even a special flag ceremony, celebrating 250 years of American pride!
A century of community
In the 1920s, the wetlands and marshes formed by the Bear River and the area where it meets the Great Salt Lake were disappearing. This caused huge bird die-offs from avian botulism, and locals witnessedthe death of hundreds of thousands of birds. Local individuals and organizations asked Congress to protect this area, a foundational part of the community. In 1928, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was created by Congress to serve as a refuge, feeding and breeding grounds for migratory waterfowl.
The Bear River is the largest of three tributaries of the Great Salt Lake. It contributes 60% of the freshwater in the Great Salt Lake. There is no outlet for the lake, so all the minerals and salts collect in one place, which is what makes it one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. It sustains a simple food web that is driven by algae, bacteria, brine shrimp, and brine flies. The lake is surrounded by wetlands, including those protected by the refuge.
Nearly 80,000 acres of marsh, open water, uplands, and alkali mudflats are managed using a complex system of dikes and water control structures to provide a variety of water depths suitable for the needs of diverse waterbird species. Active water and habitat management are essential components of supporting the millions of migratory birds that pass through each year.
Many ways to enjoy nature
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a haven for bird lovers, photographers and anyone who enjoys wide-open wetlands. Visitors can start at the James V. Hansen Wildlife Education Center to explore interactive exhibits, pick-up maps and get tips on recent wildlife sightings. A short, accessible trail around the ponds outside the center offers easy viewing of ducks, coots, swallows, muskrats and other wildlife. Out on the refuge, expansive marshes and mountain views create an ideal backdrop for spotting thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors throughout the year. There are rich opportunities for hunting waterfowl and pheasant in different parts of the refuge and an accessible blind available by reservation. You can even try your luck fishing for catfish and carp in certain areas of the Bear River channel. Whether you’re birdwatching, taking photos, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in nature, the refuge offers a relaxing and memorable connection with Utah’s natural heritage.
