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Huron
National Wildlife Refuge		 aerial view of the refuge

Lake Superior, MI   
E-mail: huron@fws.gov
Phone Number: 906-586-9851
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://midwest.fws.gov/huron		 The remoteness and primitive quality of the refuge's islands have earned them the designation of a Wilderness Area.
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  Overview
Huron National Wildlife Refuge
The beacon of Lighthouse Island gleams into the Northern Michigan night from its lonely vantage point three miles off the south shore of Lake Superior. Lighthouse Island, or West Huron, is the second largest of eight islands comprising the Huron Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Despite their small size, totalling only 147 acres, the remoteness and primitive quality of these islands have earned them the designation of a Wilderness Area.

The refuge was established for the protection of migratory birds, specifically, a large nesting colony of herring gulls. It is managed by staff at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, in Seney, Michigan.

Only West Huron Island (Lighthouse Island) is open to the public, during daylight hours, for hiking and nature study. All remaining islands are closed to the public. Exceptions are emergency landings by boats in distress.


Getting There . . .
Access to the island is by private boat.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


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NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

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Wildlife and Habitat
Habitat of this unstaffed refuge varies from a sparse covering of red pines and white birch with ground-level vegetation to barren granite with scattered lichen growth.

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History
Designated a Refuge in 1905, this is the oldest National Wildlife Refuge in the Midwest Region.

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    Alert!
Only West Huron Island is open to public use.




Recreation and Education Opportunities
Fishing
Photography
Wildlife Observation
 Learn More >>

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Managment Activities

The Service manages the refuge as a Federally protected Wilderness area, restricting activities that are not in keeping with the spirit of wilderness. Service staff monitor wildlife populations and protect cultural sites on the islands.