Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Address:	3395 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148, USA
Phone:	+1 315-568-5987
Site:	friendsofmontezuma.org
Rating:	4.5

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 18

Jc Porter

Wonderful and quiet location between Seneca Falls and Auburn. The park has a visitor center, a gift shop and a small museum with examples of different birds and habitat. On the property are trails, and an observatory tower with a binocular type scope to see birds out in their environment. If you are walking around, the Erie Canal passes through the property and has docking space. All-in all I found it to be a peaceful visit. The one thing that completely baffles me is why it is called a Wildlife Refuge when they allow hunting of the very animals we come to see in an environment where I thought it would be refuge from their main predator: humans. The Wildlife "Refuge" promotes hunting and youth hunting. Honestly, for all the other places you could take your kids to go and kill the animals....could we have just one spot where you arent killing the animals?

R Lesh

Interesting mix of walking path and a loop around the marsh that that can be driven , biked or walked if your really energetic . On the walking path there is a elevated overlook deck that gives a panoramic view of the area as well as a ground level deck a way down the path that extends into the edge of the marsh. Not a lot of excitement for little ones besides the visitors center but with patience and careful searching wildlife will be spotted. Lots of birds noticeable. The slow drive around the loop not only provides nice views of the marsh , birds and various water foul but we had a turtle cross the road in front of our car as well as 2 foxes a little further down... you can leave any hiking or hill tackling gear at home. This is strictly flat easy walking.

Matthew Davidson

Tune into 1610AM. I got there when it was dark so I couldnt see anything...Ill update my review when I go back. Otherwise it was beautiful!! Im back! Its even more beautiful in the day time! Unfortunately, the road down to the Eagle was blocked so I couldnt get pictures of that, but everything else was just as I expected it! Tons of birds, turtles and fish. Places to sit and a nice trail as well as photo blinds to get better pictures. You arent supposed to leave your car except for designated areas. They also have a phone number to call for a guided tour. Scratch not seeing Eagle. They opened the road just before I was leaving. The crown jewel of the entire place, Im so glad I was able to see it up close. Definitely coming back.

A Private User

The management here claims to try to manage for shorebird habitat but then they let their best shorebird habitat (Knox-Marcellus Marsh) fill up with water during peak shorebird migration in order to attract ducks. Completely incompetent. There hasnt been any consistently good birding area in the entire refuge over the past ten years. And if you are lucky enough to find a place that does have a lot of birds, then they are probably very far away, and the refuge staff have probably arbitrarily restricted access so that you cant get any closer.

Laura K.

I was a little disappointed with this wildlife refuge. I think we just went at a bad time, it was very hot and dry. It seemed to be dried up like a desert. The water was very pretty, but the trail to it was just eh, there wasnt much for us to see. I did enjoy climbing up to look out of the binoculars but didnt see any birds. Im sure this park is normally very beautiful and full of wildlife but perhaps a very hot day in June is not a good time to visit?

Anneliese Ploetz

The visitors center was staffed with a very friendly and knowledgeable volunteer. The bird drive was great, though wed like to also do the mile hike around the center sometime too. We didnt bring binoculars with us (bring yours if you have them), but they do lend pairs in the visitors center too. And thank heavens they do! It is awesome to see the birds so close through the binoculars. Visible by the naked eye too, but way better with the binoculars.

Navera Moritori

Pretty much loved everything except the older lady working at the visitor center. She was unacceptably rude but she gets points for knowing about the birds. I would have spent money there if she wasnt hovering over my shoulder making comments and acting annoyed any time I lifted something up to check the price. Otherwise, the refuge is amazing and I counted 50 species of bird in only 2 hours. If you want to see Coots and Moorhens - this is the spot.

Richard K

Montezuma is a wonderful experience. Ive known about this place for years and have passed over it many times traveling east on the New York State Thruway. Even though it was out of season (June 11) I was able to take some great photos, two of them are going to be printed for my show in July. Montezuma is easy to find. Stop by the visitor center. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff will answer your questions. Highly recommended.

Leonardo Lunardi

Wonderful park located right by the highway. Did not have to pay to visit, the park is one big loop that you can visit in your vehicle, during my visit the loop was under construction so we had to turn around. We were able to experience some great wildlife. Saw many herons, ducks and their little ones, one beaver, frogs, fish and more. Would recommend anyone in the area to stop by for a short visit.

Brian Holt Hawthorne

Not too far off the interstate, this is a wonderful place to take a break from a cross-country drive and take a relaxing hike in nature. They also have a driving tour, but that strikes me as sort of missing the point of a wildlife refuge! Extra points for their cell-phone interpretive your, their accessible viewing platform, and their canal-facing sign and dock for boaters. Well done!

A Private User

This is a phenomenal bird sanctuary. You can find a tremendous variety of waterfowl, shorebirds and other bird life. Access provides for good photographic opportunities. The area also provides habitat for other wildlife as well. Beautiful place!

Lara Carl

This is a great place to see plenty of birds! We saw herons, swans, egrets, geese, osprey...not great for hiking - trails are short and closed for nesting seasons. But great observation towers, beautiful area.

Richard Yoeman

We never actually officially visited. We kayaked the Erie Canal right above out and it made for some nice little day trips. If youve never been through the canal locks on a kayak I recommend the experience.

Matt Champlin

Great spot to see all sort of migrating birds. Take the driving tour around the main marsh or hike out in all the surrounding areas. Montezuma now also has Howland Island NWA as part of the overall reserve.

Nancy F

My favorite NWR! Every time I visit, Im treated to an amazing array of waterfowl. Go during the spring and fall migrations to see tens of thousands of birds of all kinds... and muskrat and beaver, too!

J.D. Roy

This is a great wildlife refuge. There is a while variety of animals, flowers and beautiful scenery in this park. Dont just drive by it next time you are in the area, its well worth a visit.

Samantha OHora

Beautiful flora and fauna, many birds. They have a short walk by the river, a few observation towers, many hiking trails and a drive thru the wetlands with a coordinated radio broadcast.

Amy B.

Beautiful, remote location, with lots of photography opportunities... we witnessed multiple Osprey up close and in action, catching fish, feeding their young, etc.