Iroquois
Basom, NY 14013-9730
Plan Your Visit
National Wildlife Refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. The refuge offers opportunities for the public to experience nature during all seasons!
Stop by the Visitor Center to explore our exhibits and find helpful information including maps, brochures, birding checklists and restrooms. Binoculars and bird guides are available for loan, free of charge.
Nesting is a critical time for our wildlife. From March 1 - September 30, please stay on trails, overlooks, and in public fishing areas. All other areas of the refuge are closed to public entry.
We are only able to issue the following America the Beautiful passes: Annual Military, Lifetime Veterans, Access Pass, and 4th Grader Pass. Federal Duck Stamps are also available for $25, cash only. Please call ahead and make an appointment to ensure there will be someone there who can issue a pass or duck stamp.
The refuge is able to issue the Lifetime Veterans and Access Pass. Please call ahead to make an appointment.
Activities
More Activities
Get Involved
National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love. We wouldn't be able to accomplish our mission without our volunteers, partners, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents making an everlasting difference.
Services
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center offers interactive exhibits, biological and historical artifacts, live fish, and an eagle nest camera. We also provide interpretive and educational programs, including guided nature walks and annual events like Family Fishing Day. Outreach programs and partnerships like the Buffalo Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership engage the community in conservation.
About
Named after the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the refuge was established in 1958 as the Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge to protect vital wetland habitats from development. It encompasses 10,828 acres of marshes, forested wetlands, and grasslands, serving as a critical sanctuary for over 266 bird species. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge is recognized as one of New York’s first Important Bird Areas (IBA) and focuses on conserving Oak Orchard Creek and its surrounding floodplain.