Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a nature preserve featuring wetlands, pools, and water channels at the north end of Cayuga Lake in Seneca County, New York. The 10,000-acre area provides diverse habitats along the lake shoreline where water and land meet.

The area was acquired in 1937 by the Bureau of Biological Survey, establishing protection for these important wetlands. Following this, the Civilian Conservation Corps undertook restoration projects that shaped the marshland into the habitat it is today.

The name comes from Dr. Peter Clark's 1806 designation, which was later used for the surrounding marshes, village, and refuge area. Visitors can still see this historical naming reflected in how locals refer to places here today.

The Wildlife Drive is open from April through November during daylight hours, with walking trails available year-round outside hunting season. It's best to check ahead about hunting seasons before planning your visit to choose the right time for walking.

The refuge is one of the largest continuous wetland systems in the northeast and welcomes more than 300 bird species that pass through or nest here. This abundance of birds makes it a major stopping point for migratory species during their seasonal journeys.