Merced National Wildlife Refuge

More than 10,200 acres of wetlands and grasslands off Sandy Mush Road west of Merced, hosting some of the largest wintering concentrations of sandhill cranes on the Pacific Flyway. The sheer scale of the wintering crane population here is a genuine wildlife spectacle, drawing birders from well outside the immediate area during peak winter months. Its size, over 10,000 acres, means a single visit can't cover the whole refuge, so picking a specific auto tour route or trail in advance helps.