2023 Wildlife Drive Dates

The wildlife drive will be open if weather and road conditions allow. Dates for the year are as follows:  February 18 and 19, March 18 and 19, April 15 and 16, 28-30, May 1-14, 20 and 21, 27-29 and each weekend through August, with the remainder of the year still being under discussion. The drive will be open from sunrise to sunset each day. 

Drive information

Established in 1961, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge protects a network of wetlands, grasslands and forests to provide habitat for a variety of migratory birds, resident wildlife and threatened and endangered species. This network of land covers more than 8,000 acres and when combined with the other refuges in the complex, protects more than 10,000 acres. It has been recognized with global significance for its value to wildlife.

Visit Us

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to connect with nature, whether it’s the woods that draw you or the open marshes. If you are looking for birds or mammals you are sure to find them here.

Location and Contact Information

      Our Species

      The refuge is an excellent place to find birds and other wildlife. There are many rare birds sighted here every year. The habitat available on the refuge provides for a variety of many types of wildlife.