Trails
Chautauqua Nature Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.5 miles
Location of trail: Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
Surface: Gravel and raised wooden boardwalk
Difficulty: Easy
Information: ADA accessible loop trail begins and ends at the refuge headquarters. Offers great wildlife view opportunities with three platforms overlooking the South Pool. Showcases a realistic eagle nest at ground level.
Eagle Bluff Observation Deck
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.04 miles
Location of trail: Eagle Bluff
Surface: Gravel and raised wooden boardwalk
Difficulty: Easy
Information: ADA accessible out-and-back trail begins on top of the bluff in Eagle Bluff parking area near the restrooms. This short access trail leads to picnic tables and large platform with viewing scope overlooking the South Pool.
North Pool Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 2.75 miles
Location of trail: Eagle Bluff to Goofy Ridge
Surface: Natural
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Information: Out-and-back primitive trail with its southern point starting at the Eagle Bluff area and north post access point at the Goofy Ridge Parking area. The trail winds up the eastern bluff of the North Pool and along remnants of old fishing cabins that once dotted the bluff. The North Pool trail is also accessible from these parking areas. Some of the northern portion of the trail follows the existing fire line at the refuge boundary for easy viewing of the canopy. The trail ends at its northern most point at the Goofy Ridge parking area.
Rountree Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.6 miles
Location of trail: Southern Trailhead at the Rountree parking lot off Buzzville Road/1950E, 0.8 miles north of Eagle Bluff. The trail can also be accessed from the North Rountree parking lot off Buzzville Road/1950E.
Surface: Gravel and raised wooden boardwalk
Difficulty: Easy
Information: This gravel trail takes you through Rountree Natural Area, an example of a typical Black Oak-Mockernut Hickory forest type. Good opportunities for mushroom and berry picking. The trail contains and inner loop and an outer loop.
Beach Access Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length:
Location of trail: North Rountree parking lot off Buzzville Road/1950E.
Surface: Natural and wood framed stairs
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Information: Out-and-back primitive trail leads to a set of stairs down to the water’s edge. A reduced understory makes this hike perfect for viewing migratory songbirds from a quiet sitting spot on a piece of driftwood. This access point connects to the North Pool Trail.