Visit Us
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Brigham City, Utah offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. On our 12-mile auto tour route, view a great diversity of birds without ever leaving your vehicle. Want to stretch your legs? Walk the 1.5 miles of trails around our world-class Wildlife Education Center located just 1/4 mile from I-15, exit 363.
Enjoy photography, wildlife watching, birding, hiking, cycling, running, hunting, fishing, and painting on the Refuge. Check our page often for special events and environmental education opportunities.
Activities
Activities available at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge include wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation, hunting and fishing. Visit the Wildlife Education Center to learn about the birds and habitat of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
What can I do if I have...
1/2 hour:
- Explore the Exhibit Hall, or
- Watch the Refuge film “Wings of Thunder," or
- Visit the Avocet Corner Nature Store, or
- Take a walk on the Refuge’s Wetland Wonders nature trail, ½ mile, outside of the Visitor Center.
1 hour:
- Take a walk on the Refuge’s Bulrush Bridge nature trail, ¾ mile, outside of the Visitor Center, or
- Play, discover, and learn in the Outdoor Classroom and Nature play area, or
- Earn a Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Junior Botany or Junior Ornithology pin.
1-2 hours:
- Take a walk on the Refuge’s Marsh Meander nature trail, 1 ½ miles, outside of the Visitor Center, or
- Play, discover, and learn in the Outdoor Classroom and Nature play area, or
- Earn a Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Junior Ranger badge, or
- Complete the 36-mile round trip to the Auto Tour Route.
All the time in the world...
- All of the above, plus
- Participate in all-day recreational activities including wildlife photography, cycling, fishing, and seasonal hunting.
Trails
Our trail at the Wildlife Education Center provides varied experiences depending on what branch of the trail you take. There is about a mile of accessible trail and another .70 of a mile of graveled trail.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Both Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and the Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge have similar habitat conservation needs, and combining these areas assists in providing consistency and effectively utilizing human and capital resources for both locations.
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is located on the southern extreme of the Great Salt Lake Desert and is essential in meeting the needs of humans and wildlife over the past 10,000 years. Most critical are the life-sustaining waters.
Rules and Policies
To ensure your safety while visiting and protect your National Wildlife Refuge and the wildlife inhabiting it, please be mindful of and abide by all laws, rules, and regulations during your visit. If you are unsure if an activity is allowed, please contact the Refuge by calling (435) 723-5887 or emailing us at bearriver@fws.gov.
Locations
The Wildlife Education Center is located just 1/4 mile west from I-15, exit 363. The auto tour route is located 12 miles west from I-15, exit 363. Please note the auto tour route is also 12 miles long, so the round trip is 36 miles.