Explore 7,440 Acres Of Trails, Flora, and Fauna At Missouri's Otherworldly Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
By Beth Price-Williams|Published May 16, 2024
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
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...
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.
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.
