We may be halfway through the month of January, but luckily New York hasn't received enough snow and harsh winter weather to keep us from venturing outdoors. If you've been keeping yourself busy so far this winter by bundling up indoors and flying through all of those TV shows you've been meaning to catch up on, then it's time you stretch your legs and enjoy some fresh air. Taking you up to the very northern end of Cayuga Lake, find out what awaits you in this peaceful area of our state.
Where you're surrounded by wide open spaces that will put you at ease, say hello to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.
Covering 10,000-acres at the northern end of Cayuga Lake, the refuge has been a designated natural landmark since 1973 and is one special outdoor space to check off of your New York to-do list.
Paying homage to all that you'll see here, the park features gorgeous works of art in the shape of birds that will make you stop and look twice.
A popular area of the refuge to explore is the Wildlife Drive, a 3.5-mile long one-way auto tour that brings you by some of the best bird-watching locations and breathtaking destinations within the refuge.
For those who want to truly get outdoors and explore the land for themselves, you'll find several short but sweet trails at the refuge that will lead you to amazing spots.
As you explore, you'll want to visit the Main Pool Observation Tower that's just a quick walk from the Visitor's Center.
The tower is known for having one of the best views in the entire refuge, featuring a telescope and an amazing spot to watch over the Main Pool and wildlife that are in it.
The refuge also features other lookout points that are closer to the ground but provide equally tranquil spaces, where you can begin to scan your eyes across the landscapes in search of wildlife.
When the visitor's center is open, you can opt to borrow binoculars to enhance your experience at the refuge if you happen to have forgotten to bring your own pair.
The visitor's center provides a greater insight into the different kinds of wildlife that you can see here, from the incredible birds to the smaller mammals you might have forgotten you'd have a chance of running into here.
Both inside and out of the center you'll find plenty of benches and chairs for you to sit down at, making for heavenly places to relax and soak in the views that surround the northernmost points of Cayuga Lake.
You never know exactly what you'll end up seeing here, but what you should know is that the refuge is home to at least 60 eagles and features 6 active eagle's nests.
Throughout the year, visitors of the park have also been known to see heron, osprey, mink, white-tailed deer, red and gray fox, shorebirds, beavers, coyote, and other migratory waterfowl.
Don't worry though, you don't have to be a wildlife expert to enjoy this place, plenty of us come here simply to bask in all of the amazing views that surround you here in this oasis of New York.
Open 24-hours a day all throughout the year, if you've yet to explore the northern points of Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, you'll want to start planning a trip ASAP.
The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is located at 3395 Highway 20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148. To find out more information about the refuge and all the animals that call this place home, click here.
If you've ever visited the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, share your pictures with us in the comments! For more amazing outdoor adventures to take, check out The Enchanting State Park In New York That's Perfect For Winter Camping.
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