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Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Geese in a field at Muscatatuck NWR.jpg
Geese in a field on the refuge in early spring
Map showing the location of Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Map of the United States
Location Jackson County, Jennings County, Monroe County, Indiana, United States
Nearest city Seymour, Indiana
Coordinates 38°56′00″N 85°48′30″W / 38.93333°N 85.80833°W / 38.93333; -85.80833Coordinates: 38°56′00″N 85°48′30″W / 38.93333°N 85.80833°W / 38.93333; -85.80833
Area 7,880 acres (31.9 km2)
Established 1966
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

The Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located three miles (5 km) east of Seymour, Indiana, on U.S. Route 50. Established in 1966, it comprises 7,802 acres (31.57 km2) in its main area of eastern Jackson and western Jennings counties, and an additional 78 acres (320,000 m2) in northwestern Monroe County, near Bloomington, Indiana, known as the "Restle Unit". It was established thanks to the selling of Federal Migratory Waterfowl Stamps, commonly known as Duck Stamps, by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It was Indiana's first National Wildlife Refuge. The name comes from the Muscatatuck River, which means "land of winding waters".

Converted farm lands comprise 60% of the total land area of the refuge. Several archaeological sites in the refuge are on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of the tree cover is deciduous forest.

A visitor center, eight hiking trails (ranging from a fifth of a mile to four miles (6 km) of easy to moderate hiking), a four mile (6 km) driving tour, two pioneer cemeteries, and a log cabin of historical significance are available for the 125,000 annual visitors to the refuge to enjoy. The refuge is open for visitation from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

The refuge should not be confused with the former Muscatatuck State Park of Indiana, which became Muscatatuck County Park when control of the land was given back to Jennings County, Indiana.


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