SENEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

1674 Refuge Entrance Road
SENEY, MICHIGAN 49883
Phone: 906-586-9851

95,455 Acres of Marsh, Field and Forest

The refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center are located on Highway M-77 approximately 3 miles north of Germfask, Michigan and 15 miles northwest of Curtis, Michigan.

One of the best wildlife excursions you can make is to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Seney is a photographers delight - bring your camera!

Seney National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 for the protection and production of migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge is composed of a rich mosaic of marsh, swamp, bog, grasslands and forest, with nearly two-thirds wetlands. Today, it protects habitat for threatened and endangered species, as well as a variety of wildlife.

A diversity of wildlife species utilize the refuge with over 200 bird species, 26 fish species and 50 mammals recorded. This diversity of wildlife is maintained through wetland, fire and forest management. On a quiet summer's eve, one has only to stop and listen to hear the soft whisper of wings and the symphony of sounds echoing from the marshes.

VISITOR CENTER. The Visitor Center at the Refuge is open seven days a week from May 15 to Octoberrefuge 15. Hours are 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. The building is loaded with exhibits on wildlife history, habitat, ecology and management. A Seney National Wildlife Refuge orientation slide show is shown every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This show introduces viewers to the variety of wildlife found on the Refuge, as well as management techniques. The photography is stunning! The center is complete with a natural history book store and children's touch table.

TOURING BY CAR. The Marshland Wildlife Drive is a seven mile self-guided auto tour open May 15 through October 15, during daylight hours. The drive starts across from the visitor center parking lot. Along the trail there are three observation decks set up with spotting scopes to assist the visitor in seeing eagles, osprey, loons and trumpeter swans.

Timing for wildlife viewing is of utmost importance. Spring, late summer and fall are best, while early morning and evening hours are when most species are active. Because more people show up for the evening hours, you might want to try getting up with the sun some day for a great experience. Sometimes in the evening the Refuge staff will lead a guided tour. Call ahead to check with them at 906-586-9851.

Remember, all wildlife has the right-of-way, and this is especially true of geese using the dikes. Breaking up a brood of geese is often fatal for those goslings separated from adults.

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TRAILS TO EXPLORE. The Pine Ridge Nature Trail offers an intimate look at refuge habitat, plants and wildlife. The 1.4 mile looped trail begins just outside the Visitor Center and is open year round during daylight hours.

70 MILES TO WALK OR BIKE. A network of nearly seventy miles of roads, closed to motor vehicle traffic, is available to the more adventuresome traveler. Maps and access information are available at the Visitor Center or refuge headquarters.

BERRYPICKING AND MUSHROOMS. Much of the refuge is open to the picking of morel mushrooms, blueberries and other wild foods and fruits. Information available at the Visitor Center

CANOEING. Canoeing is permitted only on the Manistique, Driggs and Creighton Rivers and Walsh Creek. Use is limited to daylight hours with no overnight camping allowed. Please, no canoes on the refuge pools or marshes.

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FISHING AND HUNTING. Portions of the refuge are open to hunting and fishing under special regulations. Please contact the refuge headquarters for a current list of hunting and fishing regulations, including a detailed map of the areas available.

WINTER ACTIVITIES. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on the refuge during the winter months, with groomed trails available from mid-December through mid-March. Maps are available at the refuge headquarters or the trail heads. All refuge pools are open to ice fishing from January 1 through February 28

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

The NORTHERN HARDWOODS CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAILS are a part of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. The trails are open to the public and free of charge. There are seven classically groomed Nordic ski trails to choose from providin g over nine miles of skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. The ski trails are typically groomed once per week, and those snowshoeing are asked to snowshoe alongside the groomed track to avoid damage to the track. This is a family friendly environment with trail difficulty broad enough to meet the needs of all user skill levels. Trails are open during daylight hours only and dogs are not allowed providing consideration to all users comfort and to avoid damaging the groomed track. Visitors will find themselv es among mixed habitats including; hardwood forest, boreal forest, marshlands, and the frozen beauty of the Manistique River, allowing great opportunities to view wildlife.

Directions: Follow M-77 to Germfask, Michigan turning West onto Robinson Road at the south end of Germfask. Follow Robinson Road to a plowed parking lot with a kiosk providing a detailed map and brochure maps of the trail system.

Additional information can be found on the Seney National Wildlife Refuge website.
www.fws.gov/refuge/seney              

Easy Trails:
Goose Pen: (0.8 miles) Ideal for children and beginner skiers for its short length, Goose Pen offers a skiing adventure with mixed forests and an opportunity to circle a body of water allowing for extra chances to view a variety of wildlife.

Otter Run: (1.8 miles) Otter Run parallels Gray’s Creek and the A Pool of the Refuge on a flat long path, providing a wide scale view of the expanse of the Refuge and a feeling of solitude.

Manistique River Run: (2.3 miles) Recommended for skiers interested in viewing wildlife, this trail winds along Gray’s Creek and the Goose Pen Pools connector creek until meeting up with the Manistique River. Open water areas, varying forest typ es, and marshlands along this trial can provide wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities.            

Smith Farm: (0.6 miles) Smith Farm trail allows skiers to travel through a hardwood forest and make connections for several alternative routes before returning to the parking lot.

More Difficult:
Bear Hollow: (1.1 miles) Skiers that are ready to step it up a notch to enjoy some hill action, can meet the needs by skiing Bear Hollow. Winding through hardwood forests and marshlands can be even more enjoyable while gliding with the long gradual downhill’s offered by this trail.

More and Most Difficult:
Skunk Ridge: (1.2 miles) Skunk Ridge is suitable for skiers seeking hilly terrain with challenging corning. Uphill sections are less steep than the downhill sections making this trail ideal for length, variety in terrain, and a challenging workout.

Most Difficult:
Cub Hollow: (0.5 miles) Hilly and fast, Cub Hollow is a forested trial for advanced and controlled skiers who like the challenge of waddling up hills and cruising down the other side.

CLICK HERE for a map of the Northern Hardwoods Cross-country Ski Trails.

For additional information contact:
REFUGE MANAGER, 1674 Refuge Entrance Drive, SENEY, MICHIGAN 49883.
Phone: 906/586-9851

LODGING
The
Seney Wilderness Lodge is a 2-bedroom vacation home on the Manistique River in Germfask, Michigan. This outstanding log lodge is located at the south entrance to the Seney Re fuge on 6 acres of land with 1,400 feet of waterfront on the Manistique River. The lodge has a fireplace, central AC, modern kitchen with a dishwasher, and a washer and dryer.  Relax on the deck overlooking the river. Rental includes a 16' boat on So uth Manistique Lake. . Phone: 906-586-6601

CAMPGROUNDS
The Seney Township Park is located on the Fox River, 7/10 mile north of Seney on School Street. 15 modern campsites with electric and 10 tent sites. Bathrooms, playground, and picnic area. Canoe or kayak the Fox Rver. The Fox River Pathway, a 27 mile long hiking trail begins at the western edge of the campground.

Rustic Campgrounds on the Manistique River.

Paddle down the river and camp at Mead Creek Campground or Merwin Creek Campground on the shores of the Manistique River.

Photo shows Merwin Creek Rustic Campground near Manistique.

Click Here for a map of the Manistique River showing the location of the campgrounds.

 

Lodging, Restaurants, Businesses and Recreation near the Seney Refuge

 

Exploring Seney, Michigan
Curtis, Michigan
Grand Marais, Michigan
Manistique, Michigan
Newberry, Michigan 

Eagle photo: Jim Martin
Photo of swans by Marty and Pat Lockard, winners of 3rd place in the 2003 Seney Photo Contest, Wildlife Catagory.