The Finger Lakes region was formed when massive glaciers melted more than 10,000 years ago. The edges of the lakes formed marshes, part of which eventually became the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Marshes are a unique ecosystem that support a variety of wildlife species. If you’re looking to get out and enjoy nature, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York is a great place to do it! You’ll see all sorts of critters and get to enjoy a uniquely beautiful landscape.

In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established Montezuma as a Migratory Bird Refuge. The area serves as an important stopping point for migratory birds.

SILVER FRAMES MEDIA/GoogleMaps Since marshes are a haven for insects and amphibians, birds have plenty to eat around them.

Montezuma is open seven days a week during all daylight hours. With nearly 10,000 acres, there’s plenty to see and explore!

Paul Cooper/Flickr

There are eight different trails at the park, ranging from easy jaunts under a mile all the way up to an 11-mile trail around a lake.

Paul Cooper/Flickr

There are many viewing areas placed off of the trails so you can get a good glimpse at wildlife. Here, a great blue heron is catching a tasty snack!

Steve Guttman NYC/Flickr

You can bike or walk through the trails, and you can actually drive through nearly all of the refuge.

Arina White/Google Maps

The giant stainless steel eagle statue in the refuge is visible from the nearby highway. It’s got a 22-foot wingspan and weighs more than 1,300 pounds!

Amy Connolly/Google Maps The statue was installed in 2016 to commemorate the state’s 40th anniversary of bald eagle conservation. The refuge has six active bald eagle nests.

The trails are great to explore no matter the time of day, but if you go in the evenings or mornings, you may see more wildlife activity. Make sure to bring bug spray!

Andrew Stamm/Google Maps

For more information about Montezuma, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service page.

The Finger Lakes region was formed when massive glaciers melted more than 10,000 years ago. The edges of the lakes formed marshes, part of which eventually became the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Marshes are a unique ecosystem that support a variety of wildlife species. If you’re looking to get out and enjoy nature, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York is a great place to do it! You’ll see all sorts of critters and get to enjoy a uniquely beautiful landscape.

The Finger Lakes region was formed when massive glaciers melted more than 10,000 years ago. The edges of the lakes formed marshes, part of which eventually became the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Marshes are a unique ecosystem that support a variety of wildlife species. If you’re looking to get out and enjoy nature, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York is a great place to do it! You’ll see all sorts of critters and get to enjoy a uniquely beautiful landscape.

SILVER FRAMES MEDIA/GoogleMaps

Since marshes are a haven for insects and amphibians, birds have plenty to eat around them.

Paul Cooper/Flickr

Steve Guttman NYC/Flickr

Arina White/Google Maps

Amy Connolly/Google Maps

The statue was installed in 2016 to commemorate the state’s 40th anniversary of bald eagle conservation. The refuge has six active bald eagle nests.

Andrew Stamm/Google Maps

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Address: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148, USA