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Detroit River Refugewinter wildlife

Wildlife refuge

At Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, a winter stopover for waterfowl passing through when temperatures are frigid, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak). Its usual window for this year has passed.

Updated

Sources for this timing ↓
Local timing
Winter
General timing for this place: not a peak date, and not a forecast.

About Detroit River Refuge

What it is
A wildlife refuge in Michigan
A little history
Congress established it in 2001, after U.S. and Canadian politicians, conservation leaders and communities pushed for the Detroit River and western Lake Erie.
What you'll see
Winter waterfowl on the river · winter
Before you go
When is the visitor center open? The John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center is open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm (closed federal holidays); the Refuge Gateway and Humbug Marsh trails are open year-round in daylight.
Sources (2)

Your guide to the area

Best spots and nearby places
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census; spot positions agency pages. Outside the map: Ottawa Refuge, Shiawassee Refuge.

Where to watch

  • Refuge Gateway and Humbug Marsh trail

    Best spot

    Two observation decks over the lower Detroit River (one looks like a giant eagle's nest); open year-round in daylight

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

  • Bayview Trail, Gibraltar Bay Unit

    Best spot

    A 0.35-mile trail on Grosse Ile, open year-round, with an observation deck on the bay

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Nearby

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Worth the drive · more than 60 miles

The year at Detroit River Refuge

  • Northbound migrants rest and feedspring
  • Turtles sunning on logs along the riverbanksummer
  • Waterfowl stop over on the riverwinter

Questions people ask

When is the best time to see wildlife at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge?

A winter stopover for waterfowl passing through when temperatures are frigid, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak): winter. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

Is it wildlife season at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge right now?

Not now: its usual winter wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: winter, local timing.

What should I wear in winter?

Dress warmly: the refuge sits on the Detroit River, and the wind off the water can be cold.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the visitor center open?

The John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center is open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm (closed federal holidays); the Refuge Gateway and Humbug Marsh trails are open year-round in daylight.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I visit every part of the refuge?

No: it's spread over many separate units, and several (Mud Island, Grassy Island, the Gibraltar Wetlands, Lagoona Beach, Ford Marsh and others) are closed to the public.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How did the refuge start?

Congress established it in 2001, after U.S. and Canadian politicians, conservation leaders and communities pushed for the Detroit River and western Lake Erie.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge?

Refuge Gateway and Humbug Marsh trail: two observation decks over the lower Detroit River (one looks like a giant eagle's nest); open year-round in daylight; Bayview Trail, Gibraltar Bay Unit: a 0.35-mile trail on Grosse Ile, open year-round, with an observation deck on the bay.

What is Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge like through the year?

Waterfowl stop over on the river (Dec–Feb), Northbound migrants rest and feed (Mar–May) and Turtles sunning on logs along the riverbank (Jun–Aug).

How we know · Sources (5)

How we know

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eagle Point (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gibraltar Bay Observation Deck (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)

All our sources and how we use them →