Two children looking at a herd of elk from the bed of a carriage in a snowy landscape with mountains in the background

Although the refuge is closed to hiking, visitors may watch wildlife from the observation tower.  The most commonly seen wildlife are waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds, including over 10,000 birds during the peak of the winter season. White-tailed deer, raccoons, and other mammals may also be seen, as they are attracted to the water in the moist soil units.