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Seney Wildlife Refuge
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-K
School-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Park
Wildlife Sanctuary
Seney Wildlife Refuge Description
The Seney Wildlife Refuge represents some of the best wildlife viewing the Upper Peninsula has to offer. Rich in forest and grasslands -- plus bog, marsh, and swamp -- the refuge boasts a wide variety of birds, fish, and mammals, including endangered and threatened species. Bring a pair of binoculars and see if your child can catch sight of the birds that call Seney home. The park is open to hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, as well as berry picking and mushroom hunting. A self-guided auto tour is also available -- a nice option if you have little ones or if it's too mucky or cold to tramp through the trails.
Kid Tips
Babies: Strollers won't make it through this terrain and frontpacks are likely to wear on your back and shoulders, so you may want to try a sturdy backpack carrier. And attempt a shorter hike.
Toddlers & Pre-K: Try the Pine Ridge Nature Trail. It takes about an hour to hike -- little kids should be able to handle it -- and leads you through many different habitats. Or, take the 7-mile driving tour, which offers overlook areas where you can stop, get out of your car, and really take in the area's beauty.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Older kids may enjoy seeing the refuge by bicycle. Check out http://www.northoutfitters.com/ for information on bike rentals. Note: The Pine Ridge Nature Trail and cross-country ski trails are closed to bicycles, but most refuge roads and many miles of back trails are biker-friendly.
Planning Notes
- Bring bug spray. In warmer months, you're sure to encounter biting pests like black flies, deer flies, mosquitoes, and wood ticks.
- Get educated on bear safety. Though they're generally shy of humans, black bears are a part of the northern Michigan forest, and they can be dangerous. Call the park ahead of time for tips on avoiding them.
Just the Facts
Hours: Visitor's Center is open May 15 - October 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Trails and waterways may be open later and during the winter months -- call ahead for details.
Fees: Free
Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours
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