Merced
Merced, CA 95341
Plan Your Visit
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. The refuge offers visitors a 5-mile auto tour route and 4 nature trails to observe and photograph wildlife. These features allow visitors to get close to the sights and sounds of the diverse wildlife species that live here. Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and native plants – they are all here and chances are our auto tour route and nature trails will allow you to see or hear many of them.
Conditions change from season to season in these habitats, so the species you might see will also change. While many bird species are year-round residents, most birds are seasonal and can only be observed during specific times of the year. Other bird species pass through for a few short weeks during fall or spring migration. Just as the birds change with the seasons, so do the landscapes. Early spring wildflowers give way to summer grasses, and even certain insect species you may not have noticed in the spring become very apparent in the fall such as various dragonfly species. During the hot dry days of summer, you are more likely to see a greater number of bird species in the morning – the next best time for summer birds is in the late afternoon/early evening. Likewise, most mammals are more likely to be visible in the morning or early evening during the hot months.
There is always something to see at the refuges, but certain times are better than others and the cast of nature’s characters changes with the seasons. No matter when you visit, bring your binoculars, camera – and your curiosity!
Tips for an enjoyable visit
Dress appropriately for the seasons. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for nature trails. Summer months can reach extreme temperatures of over 100 degrees for weeks at a time. Always bring and carry plenty of water. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended. Mosquitoes can be very active, especially during fall and spring. Mosquito repellant is recommended. Binoculars and a camera will help you get the most of your visit.
During the hot dry days of summer, you are more likely to see a greater number of bird species in the morning – the next best time for summer birds is in the late afternoon/early evening.
If you have 15-minutes: Enjoy a relaxing stroll on the Cottonwood trail located on the north side of Sandy Mush Road.
If you have one hour: Travel the auto tour route and explore the Bittern Marsh trail or Meadowlark trail.
If you have half a day or more: Travel the auto route route and explore all 4 of the refuge’s nature trails. Bring a picnic lunch to eat under the picnic shelter near the entrance information kiosk.
Quick Resources:
San Luis NWRC
San Joaquin River NWR
Grasslands WMA
San Luis Complex Hunt Program
Brochures
Rules & Policies
There is no fee to visit the auto tour route and nature trails. Hunting permits must be returned to the check-stations immediately upon completion of your hunt. Type A hunting passes are not sold at check stations; they must be purchased at license agents or online in advance.
Merced National Wildlife Refuge Main Entrance
(209) 826-3508 7430 West Sandy Mush Road Merced, CA 95341
Driving Directions From Los Banos: Travel east on Pacheco Blvd to Mercey Springs Road. Turn left on Mercey Springs Road. Continue on Mercey Springs Road for approximately 3 miles to Henry Miller Road. Turn right on Henry Miller Road and continue for approximately 7 miles to Turner Island Road (4-way stop). Turn left on Turner Island Road. After approximately 5.25 miles, turn right onto Sand Slough Road. Sand Slough Road will curve to the left and become Nickel Road. After approximately 1 mile, the road makes a sharp right and becomes Sandy Mush Road. Continue on Sandy Mush Road for approximately 3.5 miles to the refuge entrance on the right (south) side of the road.
From CA-99: Take the CA-152 west exit and travel westbound on CA-152 for approximately 15 miles. Take the CA-59 north exit toward Merced and travel north for approximately 7 miles to Sandy Mush Road. Turn left on Sandy Mush Road and travel westbound for approximately 8 miles to the refuge entrance on the left (south) side of the road.
From Interstate 5: Take the Los Banos/CA-152 east exit. Travel on CA-152 eastbound into Los Banos. Turn left on Mercey Springs Road. Continue on Mercey Springs Road for approximately 3 miles to Henry Miller Road. Turn right on Henry Miller Road and continue for approximately 7 miles to Turner Island Road (4-way stop). Turn left on Turner Island Road. After approximately 5.25 miles, turn right onto Sand Slough Road. Sand Slough Road will curve to the left and become Nickel Road. After approximately 1 mile, the road makes a sharp right and becomes Sandy Mush Road. Continue on Sandy Mush Road for approximately 3.5 miles to the refuge entrance on the right (south) side of the road.
Cottonwood trail
Driving Directions From Los Banos: Travel east on Pacheco Blvd to Mercey Springs Road. Turn left on Mercey Springs Road. Continue on Mercey Springs Road for approximately 3 miles to Henry Miller Road. Turn right on Henry Miller Road and continue for approximately 7 miles to Turner Island Road (4-way stop). Turn left on Turner Island Road. After approximately 5.25 miles, turn right onto Sand Slough Road. Sand Slough Road will curve to the left and become Nickel Road. After approximately 1 mile, the road makes a sharp right and becomes Sandy Mush Road. Continue on Sandy Mush Road for approximately 4.75 miles to the trail parking lot on the left (north) side of the road. You will drive past the main refuge entrance before reaching the trail parking lot.
From CA-99: Take the CA-152 west exit and travel westbound on CA-152 for approximately 15 miles. Take the CA-59 north exit toward Merced and travel north for approximately 7 miles to Sandy Mush Road. Turn left on Sandy Mush Road and travel westbound for approximately 6.75 miles to the trail parking lot on the right (north) side of the road.
From Interstate 5: Take the Los Banos/CA-152 east exit. Travel on CA-152 eastbound into Los Banos. Turn left on Mercey Springs Road. Continue on Mercey Springs Road for approximately 3 miles to Henry Miller Road. Turn right on Henry Miller Road and continue for approximately 7 miles to Turner Island Road (4-way stop). Turn left on Turner Island Road. After approximately 5.25 miles, turn right onto Sand Slough Road. Sand Slough Road will curve to the left and become Nickel Road. After approximately 1 mile, the road makes a sharp right and becomes Sandy Mush Road. Continue on Sandy Mush Road for approximately 4.75 miles to the trail parking lot on the left (north) side of the road. You will drive past the main refuge entrance before reaching the trail parking lot.
Activities
Get Involved
National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. From volunteer activities to student internship positions and public events, there are a number of ways to get involved and enjoy a productive and rewarding experience.
Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Work with Us
Our dedicated employees perform a wide range of jobs at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries and with public, tribal and private partners.
We hope you’ll join us in advancing our mission of working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Services
The refuge maintains approximately 300 acres of cultivated corn and winter wheat crops and more than 500 acres of irrigated pasture for wildlife. Local farmers, working under cooperative agreements, assist with crop management, while local ranchers participate in a livestock grazing program to maintain native grasslands.
About
The Merced National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian woodlands. Established in 1951, it serves as a sanctuary for migratory waterfowl and hosts the largest wintering populations of lesser sandhill cranes and Ross’ geese along the Pacific Flyway. The refuge utilizes intensive management, including water control, cultivated crops, and livestock grazing, to maintain diverse habitats for a variety of resident and migratory species.