Montezuma Wetlands Complex

Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties

Montezuma is situated in the middle of one of the busiest bird migration routes on the Atlantic Flyway. More than 240 species of birds can be found on the refuge, along with 43 species of mammals,15 species of reptiles, and 16 species of amphibians.

Wildlife to Watch

• White-tailed deer, red squirrel, muskrat, beaver, red and gray fox and coyote
• Bald eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, merlin and northern harrier
• Canada geese and snow geese, black duck, wood duck, mallard, teal, merganser
• Great blue heron, green heron, and pied-billed grebe
• Shorebirds including woodcock, sandpiper and
• Snapping turtle, several species of frogs

Where to Watch

• Trails
• Observation tower
• Ground-level observation decks

Recreational Opportunities

• Visitor center with Osprey Cam - a real-time view of osprey nest
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Birding
• Designated fishing areas
• Launch areas for canoes, kayaks and small motorboats available in some areas

Accessible Features

This site offers accessible features which include an accessible visitors center, observation decks and trails. A full list of DEC's accessible recreation destinations is available on the DEC website.

Size

The Montezuma Wetlands Complex is 50,000 acres, and contains of the following:

• The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (approx. 10,000 acres) and includes the Refuge Visitor Center
• DEC's Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area (approx. 8,000 acres), and includes the Northern Montezuma Field Office and the Montezuma Audubon Center
• 110 acres owned by The Nature Conservancy
• The rest is made up of private lands, including
  • privately held large marshes
  • lands with cooperative agreements with DEC
  • properties DEC has collaborated with on wetland restorations or enhancement projects
    

Closest Town

Seneca Falls and Savannah

Directions

See Google Maps for step by step directions to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. (This link will open a page outside of the DEC website. Hold Shift down while clicking on the link to open it in a new window.)

Contact Information

Address: 3395 U.S. Route 20 East, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Telephone: 315-568-5987
Website: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (link leaves DEC website)

Address: 2295 State Rt. 89, Savannah, NY 13146
Telephone: 315-365-3580
Website: Montezuma Audubon Center (link leaves DEC website)

Address: 1385 Morgan Rd., Savannah, NY 13146
Telephone: 315-365-2134
Website: Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area

Photo Credits: Eric Kiel, J. Van Niel, J. Tollison