Many white geese with black wingtips are just taking off from the ground

Programs at Montezuma Audubon Center

Private birding tours and other ways to experience the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

Snow Geese. Photo: Margo Burnison/Audubon Photography Awards

The Montezuma Audubon Center offers a wide variety of public and private programs throughout the year! Join us for scouting outings, private bird tours and so much more—reach out to schedule a program today!

Scout Programs

The Montezuma Audubon Center is a great place to connect with nature and earn badges! We offer a variety of programs targeted towards specific badges and scout levels for Girl Scout and Scouting American groups. Plus, participate in adventurous add-ons like kayaking, snowshoeing, and even overnight camping programs.

Private Birding Tours

Reconnect with nature at Montezuma Audubon Center!

Enjoy a unique bird-watching tour of the 50,000-acre Montezuma Wetlands Complex! These outings are a great way to catch up with family members, close friends, or co-workers, and experience the birds, other wildlife, and habitats that make Montezuma an Audubon Important Bird Area. Choose from driving tours, birding walks, canoeing/kayaking excursions, and snowshoeing hikes. All tours are led by National Audubon Society staff and include equipment rentals, binoculars, and bird guides.

Tour Options

Ride with a staff member in the Audubon van to Montezuma’s marshes, forests, and grasslands to explore several birding hotspots and the abundant wildlife as they go about their activities! Our tours can visit any of the units within the greater Montezuma Wetlands Complex, depending on the season and current bird sightings.

Let us know if there is anything in particular you are looking for, and we can adapt our stopping locations accordingly.

Group Maximum: 7 people*
Price: $150
Length: 2 hours

*Our van holds a maximum of 7 guests. If you would like to book a private driving tour for 8 or more people, please contact the Center to discuss ways we can accommodate a group of your size.

Explore the trails at the Montezuma Audubon Center! We have a series of trails totaling roughly 3 miles. These are relatively flat, stone-dust trails that take us through forest, marsh, and grassland habitats. An Audubon educator will take you through the trails to experience all of the wildlife that calls our center home.

Group Maximum: 20 people
Price: $150
Length: 2 hours

Snowshoe tours are limited to the winter season. If a snowshoe tour is booked, and there is no snow, we will transition to a walking tour instead.

Group Maximum: 20 people
Price: $150
Length: 2 hours

From May through September, experience the beauty of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex right from the river that many of our birds call home! Depending on the time of year and river conditions, our launch site does change. Wherever we launch from, we will spend about 2 hours out on the water paddling around our wetland units in search of birds.

Your guide will talk about the history of the Montezuma Wetland Complex, the National Audubon Society, and the Montezuma Audubon Center's role in conservation—all while pointing out any birds and relaying any fun facts they might know about them!

All gear (kayaks, paddles, life jackets, binoculars) is provided. Our weather policy is to cancel/reschedule a kayak trip if wind speeds exceed 15 mph, a Small Craft Advisory is issued, or thunderstorms/lightning are predicted. Excessive rainfall (over 0.5 inches) makes for a pretty miserable paddle, but a light sprinkle doesn't often deter our marshland birds.