Take the Vian exit from I-40, follow county road 3 miles south. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1970 to provide habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds and to provide food and cover for resident wildlife. The refuge was named in honor of Sequoyah, a Cherokee Native American who developed an alphabet for the Cherokee language. Wildlife Wildlife found at Sequoyah NWR varies with the seasons. During fall, winter, and spring, waterfowl are numerous.
Mallards are, by far, the most abundant of the wintering ducks.
The refuge hosts the largest concentration of snow geese in the state, and large numbers of wading and shorebirds are common in the summer and fall. The bottomland habitat provides a home for a variety of wildlife, including songbirds, hawks, bobwhite quail, bobcat, squirrels, muskrat, and rabbits. Reptiles, such as the green tree frog, diamondback water snake, red-eared slider, cottonmouth, and bullfrog are also common in the refuge woodlands. Back to Index Species Lists Birds of Sequoyah NWR Things to do at the Refuge Sequoyah NWR offers many opportunities for photographing plants and animals. Hiking trails and observation towers are available, and 6 miles of auto-tour road winds through woodlands, meadows, and along the lakeshore.