Kirtland'S Warbler Guided Tours
Huron-Manistee National Forests
This is a guided tour to view Kirtland's warblers in their habitat. Tours are conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, on the Mio Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The tour begins with a brief presentation at the ranger station before driving to the field site.
This is a guided tour to view Kirtland's warblers in their habitat. Tours are conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, on the Mio Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The tour begins with a brief presentation at the ranger station before driving to the field site.
Need to Know
- Tickets Required
Reservations must be made for the Kirtland’s Warbler Guided Tours. Tickets for tours need to be reserved by 3pm ET the day before those tours. Weekend tours will not be conducted without reservations being made before 3pm ET the day prior.
- Age 17 and Under
Children ages 17 and under are free to attend the tour. They must be accompanied by an adult who has purchased a ticket and is also attending the tour that same day.
- Drinking Water
A water fountain is available at the Ranger Station; personal water bottles may be filled there. No water facilities are available at the field tour site.
- Restroom Facilities
Public restrooms are available at the Ranger Station. No restrooms or vault toilets are available at the field tour site.
- Pets
Only service animals are allowed inside the Ranger Station and at the field tour site. The field tour stays within sight of the vehicles in the event tour attendees need to return to the vehicle.
- Checking In and Arrival Time
Ticket holders will need to give their name at check-in. An ID or printed ticket is appreciated but not required. Please arrive by 7:15am ET. The informational presentation starts at 7:30am ET, followed by the guided field tour, and the tour typically ends by 10:30am ET.
- Driving to Field Tour Site
Tour attendees will follow the Forest Service tour guide and drive their personal vehicles to the field tour site. Road conditions will vary between pavement, gravel, packed dirt roads, and occasionally sandy areas. Roads are typically passable with small passenger cars.
- Weather
Tours will be conducted in all weather conditions except for thunderstorms for safety reasons. Please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
- Photography, recordings, spotting scopes, audio playback, drones
Photography and video/audio recording during the tour is allowed. Tour attendees are welcome to bring their own spotting scopes, binoculars, and cameras. The use of drones is prohibited. The use of recorded audio to attract birds is prohibited.
- Field Tour Site Conditions
Tour attendees should be aware the field portion of the guided tour is conducted along trails, dirt roads, and occasionally off-trail. Ground conditions may be uneven with tripping hazards. Sturdy, close-toed shoes or boots are highly recommended. Pants, long sleeved shirts or coat, hats, and insect repellent are also recommended. Biting insects (black flies, mosquitos) and ticks are common in the jack pine forest where the tour takes place.
- ADA Compliance
The Ranger Station features ADA-accessible parking and paved ramps. Due to the nature of the field tour, the field tour site is not typically ADA-compliant. Please call 989-826-3252 if you require a more ADA-compliant option for the field tour. Alternate tour sites may be available to allow bird viewing from a vehicle.
- More Information
For more information about the tours or the Mio area, please call 989-826-3252 or email SM.FS.MioKWTours@usda.gov.
Booking Windows
Tickets for Kirtland’s Warbler Guided Tours will become available March 11th at 10 AM Eastern Time for tours offered daily beginning May 15 through May 31, including weekends and holidays.
Tickets for tours MUST be reserved by 3pm ET the day before the scheduled tour. Tours will not be conducted if there are no reservations booked for a given day.
Changes and Cancellations
- Cancellations must be made by 3PM ET the day prior to the reserved tour for refund minus the processing fee. Refunds must be processed through www.recreation.gov.
- No refunds for no shows, inclement weather, or cancellations after 3pm the day prior to the reserved tour.
- No refunds due to the unpredictable nature of wildlife (i.e. no Kirtland’s warblers are seen when Kirtland’s warblers are evident in the area during that day’s tour).
Contact Information
Mailing Address
107 McKinley Rd Mio MI 48647
Phone Number
989-826-3252
