Explore 7,440 Acres Of Trails, Flora, and Fauna At Missouri’s Otherworldly Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

I love spending time outdoors, exploring natural areas where every step promises something unexpected - a honking goose, a tiny waterfall tumbling into a stream, and chiseled rock formations that look almost otherworldly. I'll usually find a rock or a downed tree branch on which to sit to just soak it all in. Missouri is a paradise for nature lovers, which means finding plenty of those peaceful moments outdoors. When you're planning your next outdoor adventure, consider exploring this national wildlife refuge in Forest City, Missouri.

Before you head over to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in Forest City, slip on comfy walking shoes, and pack your binoculars, camera, and sense of adventure.

If this is your first time visiting Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, consider stopping at the visitor contact station. You can watch a brief film about the refuge and grab a map and brochures.

If you don't feel like hiking, follow the 10-mile Wild Goose Auto Tour that will take you to more than a dozen sites in the wildlife refuge, including an observation tower, Loess Bluffs, a bald eagle nest, and snow goose pools.

However you decide to explore this more than 7,000-acre national wildlife refuge, you'll quickly realize you're in what's been called a "birders' paradise." Keep an eye out for a variety of species - from snow geese and songbirds to...

Bald eagles and shorebirds.

Chances are pretty good that you'll run into other wildlife, too. Turtles, coyotes, and deer all live in the area. If you're hiking, be on the lookout for snakes, too.

The refuge is home to half a dozen trails, which you can hike or bike. Pups are permitted as long as they remain leashed. All of the trails are open all year.

If you want to start with a short and sweet hike, follow the .08-mile Loess Bluffs Trail, which starts at the visitor contact center. It snags a moderately difficult rating because you'll have to climb 200 stone stairs.

One of the easiest trails, the Eagle Overlook Trail, clocks in at just 1.2 miles. The dirt and grass path leads to a scenic overview.

At just over half a mile, the Callow Trail is ADA-accessible, paved, and predominately flat. It offers views of woodlands.

Learn more about Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge on the official website of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Or, stop by the Facebook page of Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.

Have you been to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in Forest City, Missouri? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! Ready to explore some more? Slip on your hiking shoes, and follow one of the best hiking trails in Missouri. Find a comprehensive list of Missouri trails, including photos and maps, on All Trails.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/missouri/best-hikes-in-missouri/