In celebration of the 250 anniversary of the United States, the Refuge will be hosting a special event day to honor the importance of spending time outdoors in our nation's public lands. On Saturday, April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Refuge will be hosting the grand opening for three special outdoor features.
- The Temporary Auto Tour Route for 2026
- Only open from Saturday, April 4 through mid-September, this special route will enable visitors to drive through areas of the Refuge not typically open to public access. This special route will only be open during the closure of the Refuge's regular Auto Tour Route which is closing for the spring and summer of 2026 due to a pre-scheduled maintenance project. More information on the project and the route will be posted soon. For the event day, along the new, temporary route, staff will be present to answer questions and engage with the public.
- Grand Opening of the Visitor Center's Improved Outdoor Patio
- Back at the Visitor Center, the Refuge will be celebrating the installation of two permanent binocular viewer features and four planter boxes for the public to enjoy.
- Grand Opening of the Outdoor Nature Explore Classroom's Garden Area
- The Refuge will also be celebrating new additions to the Outdoor Nature Explore Classroom, located at the Visitor Center, featuring an interactive garden area. Visitors will have the chance to plant some of the very first seeds in this area during the event.
In addition to the three featured openings, there will be ongoing scavenger hunts and activities for visitors of all ages to engage in throughout that day. The Refuge will also play host to a special "Flags Across America" celebration where special American flags will be flown during the event. For event day questions, please contact the Refuge at bearriver@fws.gov, or visit us inside the Visitor Center for more information. This event is open to everyone, and Refuge staff hopes to see you there!