Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge: Auto Tour Loop

The Auto Tour Loop within the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a 12 mile loop around some dikes and ponds and the Bear River. It is a great place to see birds and is actually rather pretty in and of itself as well. Most of the refuge is paved, but the loop itself is a dirt road. It is in good condition though and my little sedan did just fine. We tried to do this last year but it was closed due to flooding. After doing it, I can clearly see why they close it during flood levels.

Pelicans and other waterfowl in one of the ponds.

Scenic Drive Details:

Length: 12 miles in, 12 mile loop, 12 miles out. Total 36 Miles.
Time Needed: About 2 and a half hours.
Road Conditions: The road out is paved. The loop is hard packed dirt. Not too bumpy.
Summit: NA
Restrooms: Several along the way including one at the beginning of the auto tour.
Interesting Things: 250 different species of birds.

To Get Here:

Take i15 to exit 363 Forest Street near Brigham City. Go west. The visitor Center will be about a quarter mile out on the south side of the road. You don’t have to stop there to do the auto tour. To get to the loop follow forest Street for 12 miles. Then follow the signs to go clockwise around the loop.

The Drive:

Forest Street starts out like any other road (DBP). This is just past the visitor center. There is a nice easy little trail you can do around it the Wetland Walk Trail.

Eventually you will see the Bear River (DBP). It seems a bit wider than most of the rivers around here. It’s kind of neat to have seen a river near it’s source in the Uinta's, in the middle near Bear Lake and then here just before it terminates into the Great Salt Lake.

The Promontory Mountains (DBP). We had fun exploring a little bit out that way when we did The Spiral Jetty.

The sign (DBP).

Here is one of the several flood channels you will cross (DBP). There are several signs warning to not attempt to cross if there is water on it. But, you likely wouldn’t get this far anyway as they would probably have the gate closed before here. I’m not sure why they lowered the road instead of putting in pipes but it probably has something to do with trying to allow the natural flooding to happen.

I thought these mountains looked familiar (DBP). I think we passed a little closer to them on the way out to Golden Spike.

The road top changes to old asphalt so little rocks flip up occasionally, but still paved and not too bad (DBP).

The gate to the loop (DBP).

At the beginning of the loop is this little observation tower to get a better view.

View of the Bear River from the top. I like this observation tower a little better than the one at The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. While that one is prettier, this one seems more sturdy.

View from the other direction towards Promontory Point.

And looking south. I am pretty sure that is Antelope Island out there.

The sign for the loop.

After crossing Bear River we are officially on the Auto Tour (DBP). The cars certainly kick up some big dirt clouds.

The river again (DBP).

One of the many little pull outs that allow you to park and get out and enjoy the view. This is a little marsh looking south east.

Some diving.. swans? I’m going with swans and some ducks.

Some geese.

Lots of birds in this pond (DBP).

Swans, geese, coots, and ducks.

Another pull out offered a nice view of the mountains above Brigham City.

And a nice view of the Bear River Channel.

Pelicans.

Okay that one is definitely a swan.

Back to the pelicans. Also, look at all the freaking birds in this pond!

Some pelicans and geese hanging out on this side road. We are outside a closed gate that said no access so we couldn’t get any closer.

Some Canadian geese.

Back to the canal.

From the other side.

The pond on the inside of Unit 2, which is what the auto tour circumnavigates.

American Coot. We also saw a muskrat here and I was hoping to get a picture but it didn’t come back up. Oh well I got some neat pictures of one the last time we were here.

Hawk. Honestly I was a little surprised we didn’t see many of these out here.

Then again, there are a lot more cattails to hide in out here (DBP).

The mountains look great above the ponds.

Tundra Swans.

Mountains again.

Lots of birds.

The fish are pretty active right now too.

Swans and mountains.

Looking towards the Promontory Mountains again.

The mountains to the north again.

Lots of birds.

I think this is Ben Lomond, but I am not used to see it from this side so I’m not sure.

American Pelican.

Another hawk.

Grebes.

Showing the road again (DBP).

You can see the line marking the high levels (DBP).

Which lines up with where the gates are set (DBP).

A pelican out in Unit 3.

I have no idea what these guys are but they are kind of neat.

There is another little observation deck.

As I was climbing up a flock of swans flew by.

View from the deck.

From the other direction.

Pretty bird hanging around.

The end of the loop (DBP). Now we just have the 12 miles back to the freeway.

Band of light on the mountains (DBP).

Heading out of the refuge (DBP).

Box Elder Canyon above Brigham City. (DBP). You can see more from our adventure to Hardware Ranch.

The visitor center (DBP).

Fun sun pillar (DBP).

Willard Bay (DBP).

Cool clouds over Mount Ogden (DBP).

That was a really neat adventure. I loved the scenery and the different birds to spot. It’s a little bit farther than I would like but it was neat to see and I am super glad we finally made it out and got to explore it. There were a few more cars than I anticipated but most people were courteous and made sure to pull off to the side to allow you to pass (couple jerks, but not many). Going with 7 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty you can stay in your car the entire time or there are a couple spots to get out and see better so DR1.

Dogs. Well, I saw no signs banning them, but no signs welcoming them either. Which usually leads me to just play it safe and not risk it.