Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
- Alex Cabrero
- Dec 16, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
(Brigham City) This is a nice little drive to see birds taking a break on their migration north and south. The views of the mountains and water are always amazing. It's a very peaceful, slow-paced drive in a loop on dirt roads around the refuge.
The loop begins 13 miles west of Exit 363 (Forest Street) in Brigham City. There's a visitor center as soon as you get off the exit with some hiking trails, but you'll have to drive a little west to get to the beginning of the auto tour.
You'll know you're at the beginning of the auto tour when you see the wooden lookout tower. This is a nice spot to go to the top and look at where you're about to go. There's an informational sign, restrooms on the parking lot across the road, and a good place to get your snacks and diet sodas ready for the drive.
The auto tour is a one way dirt road that does a 12-mile loop through and around the refuge. You'll always see water in canals, streams, ponds, and lakes. There are plenty of places to stop and look at birds or just enjoy the scenery. There's plenty of room for another vehicle to go around you if you want to take things slow. Out here, there is absolutely no rush.
The photo above is what everyone hopes to see when they come here. Of course, it all depends on the day, the time of day, and the time of year. Kylie and I have visited a few times and we have never seen a ton of birds, but there's a good chance we were just visiting at the wrong time. Million of birds fly through and stop here every year. It's an important stop on their migration routes. I just need to do better research on when to come!
Even if you don't see many birds, it's still a nice and relaxing drive. We take Timber and she loves it. She wants the window down so she can smell the air and get a better look at the birds. When it's cold outside and you'd rather take your dog for a drive than a walk, this is a great option.
Plus, the views are amazing on a clear day. The mountains in the background are majestic, especially when they're snow capped. There are lots of place where yo can just pull your car over and have a little lunch or picnic and just enjoy the sounds. More than 200 bird species use the refuge to rest, feed, and nest. Biologists say 67 species of birds nest on the refuge.
Chances are good you'll see some hunters in their boats launching into the water. There are several places to put on a boat onto the water depending on the time of year. If you're not a hunter, this is still a place where many people do bird watching, photography, cycling, running, and even some fishing.
WINTER
One time, Kylie and I visited in the middle of the winter and the frozen landscape was so different than what we saw in the spring. Instead of hearing birds, we could hear the ice creek and move. It was an eerie and amazing experience. As the frozen surface moves to the shore, it starts to bunch up and fold up into the air. It makes for some awesome formations and pictures.
Some of the formations look like the inside of Superman's arctic house. You can see how thick the slabs of ice area. Hearing the sounds of the frozen water moving is worth the trip in the winter.
VISITOR CENTER
Before or after your drive, stop by the Visitor Center to learn more about the types of birds that come here. You can also learn more about how the refuge was built with dykes and canals to give birds the place they need.
The displays inside the Visitor Center are very well done. You can tell they took their time making it just right. There are restrooms, an informational ranger, and a gift shop. There are also some classrooms and an auditorium for when they hold educational workshops. My favorite part is where you can hear audio recordings of some of the different types of birds that come here.
ADDRESS
2155 West Forest Street, Brigham City
WEBSITE
Comments