Photo Credit Jill Shannon/USFWS
Amazing numbers of birds can be viewed in Spring, Summer and Fall, at this world-famous national wildlife refuge. Nearly 74,000 acres of marsh, mudflat, seasonal wetlands and uplands attract shorebirds, waterfowl, herons, grebes, gulls, eagles, hawks and many other birds.
“Throughout the refuge’s long rich past, it has not only been an oasis for shorebirds and waterfowl, but many people have found solitude viewing the winter sun setting over the Promontory Mountains, or by watching a pair of American Avocets dancing in spring” (from the BRMBR website). Utah nature writer Terry Tempest Williams’ 1991 book Refuge explored both the Bear River Refuge and her mother’s death from cancer.
A 12-mile self-guided auto tour route is available year-round, providing excellent viewing opportunities. Open weather and road conditions permitting.
Be sure to visit the new Wildlife Education Center, where interactive exhibits and displays provide information on refuge birds and habitats. A video, classrooms for visiting school groups, a wildlife book and gift shop, and tourist information are available here also.
The refuge auto tour route is open sunrise to sunset year round, weather and road conditions permitting.