The Ferguson Bayou Trail, at the west end of Curtis Road, has over 4.5 miles of trails. This National Recreation Trail follows dikes and provides views of croplands, sloughs, forest, fields, wetlands and pools. There are four observation decks- one in the parking lot and three along the trail. Two observation decks have spotting scopes, to offer you a closer look at ducks, geese, deer and other wildlife.
The refuge's diverse habitats and land management practices result in a great variety of wildlife species occurring here. Over 270 species of migratory birds, including raptors, shore and wading birds, and more than 100 songbird species visit the refuge annually. Shiawassee NWR is designated as a United State Important Bird Area for its global significance to migratory waterfowl.