Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Parks Directory of the United States / National Wildlife Refuges

Address: 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.

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See other parks in California.