Fodor's Expert Review Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

More than 215 species of migratory waterfowl, including many geese and ducks in fall and winter, stop for a spell at this little-visited 3,700-acre prairie refuge 12 mi northwest of Springer. Sightings of great blue herons are not uncommon in midwinter, and bald eagles are fairly plentiful at this time. Sandhill cranes usually drop by in early fall, Canada geese around December. Deer, prairie dogs, long-tail weasels, jackrabbits, coyotes, bears, and elk live here. The fishing season (Lake 13 is stocked occasionally with rainbows) is between March and October. You can camp (no fee, no facilities) near the fishing areas.