Michigan Islands
Seney, MI 49883-9509
Plan Your Visit
Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public. This refuge is a breeding ground for colonial waterbirds and hosts several sensitive plant communities, therefore we do not allow the public to access these islands.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is managed by Seney and Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuges. Seney National Wildlife Refuge staff manages the islands in Lake Michigan; Shoe, Pismire, Hat and Gull Islands. Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge staff manages the islands in Lake Huron; Scarecrow, Crooked, Big and Little Charity and Sugar Islands.
Rules and Policies
All islands of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge are closed to the public due to their value to colonial nesting waterbirds and sensitive plant communities. Special Use Permits may be issued for approved purposes. The only exceptions are emergency landings by boats in distress.
- Scarecrow, Shoe and Pismire Islands of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge are designated federal wilderness areas
- Special Use Permits may be issued for approved purposes.
Special use permits are needed for all access. Special use permit applications should be sent to the deputy refuge manager at the appropriate site: Seney National Wildlife Refuge for Lake Michigan islands (Gull, Hat, Shoe and Pismire) or Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge for Lake Huron islands (Scarecrow, Big and Little Charity, Sugar and Crooked).
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference.
Services
Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is managed passively. Refuge staff monitor the islands for major issues and intervenes when necessary, but the islands largely take care of themselves. Due to the sensitive nature of colonial nesting waterbirds and federally threatened plants the islands are closed to the public.
About
Established in 1947, Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a 705-acre sanctuary consisting of nine islands across Lakes Michigan and Huron dedicated to protecting colonial nesting waterbirds and sensitive plant species. The refuge includes designated wilderness areas such as Shoe, Pismire, and Scarecrow Islands, and provides critical habitat for species like Caspian terns and black-crowned night herons. Due to the sensitive nature of these nesting grounds and federally threatened plants, all lands within the refuge are closed to the public.