1. MNWR Visitor's Center

Welcome to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge!

The visitor center is open daily from mid-March through November—10 am to 3 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 4 pm on weekends. The refuge trails are open daily, ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset, unless otherwise posted.

As part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we are charged with providing habitat for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and native migratory fish, as well as providing opportunities for you to enjoy these precious natural resources.

Establishment of the refuge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes. Once drained as a result of dam and canal construction, area wildlife were virtually gone. But with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who built a series of dikes to create our Main Pool, the water returned and the wildlife followed suit.

Today, staff and volunteers continue to work toward restoring the historic Montezuma marshes and other important wildlife habitats. As part of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, the refuge acquires land from willing sellers and restores it to provide critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

We hope you take advantage of the wildlife watching opportunities around the refuge, and visit often!