Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Parks Directory of the United States / National Wildlife RefugesAddress:c/o San Luis NWR
PO Box 2176
Los Banos, CA 93635

Phone:209-826-3508
Web: pacific.fws.gov/refuges/field/CA_merced.htm
Established: 1951.
Location:8 miles southwest of Merced.
Facilities:Viewing sites, trails, auto tour route.
Activities:Hunting, hiking, wildlife observation.
Special Features:The refuge hosts up to 15,000 lesser sandhill cranes, the largest populationin the Central Valley. Peak populations occur during November. Up to 100,000 geese (Ross', snow, white-fronted, and cackling Canada) use refuge marsh and croplands from November to March.
Habitats: 7,035 acres of grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands.
Access: Open daily from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Wild life: Wintering waterfowl including pintails, shovelers, green-winged teal, lesser sandhill cranes, and Canada geese.

See other parks in California.