DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

The Bertrand Excavation Site trail takes visitors around the excavation site of the Bertrand Steamboat. The pit where the boat was recovered is now a pond, but the hull of the boat still lies buried here. The pond gives visitors a perspective for the size of the Steamboat Bertrand.

This compacted gravel trail meanders through the bottomland Cottonwood forests. Deer and turkey can often be observed along this trail. In the spring, migratory warblers and other birds frequently are spotted and heard. A section of the trail also provides views of DeSoto Lake and a photo blind can be found at this point. This photo blind is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is especially good during the migration period. The trail eventually loops back to the parking lot and connects with the Grassland Trail. At the parking lot is a nature pavilion and is a great place for a picnic. Restrooms can also be found at the trail head.

This compacted gravel trail starts off meandering through the grassland habitat of the refuge before going into the bottomland Cottonwood forests. A section of the trail also provides views of DeSoto Lake. This trail connects to both the Bertrand Excavation Site Trail and the Cottonwood Trail. At the parking lot is a nature pavilion and is a great place for a picnic. Restrooms can also be found at the trail head.

The Missouri Meander Trail is a short loop that starts at the visitor center kiosk and goes down to the edge of the lake. Two overlooks with benches provide a great view of DeSoto Lake and a chance to observe wildlife. The trail is closed during the migration season to minimize disturbance to waterfowl utilizing DeSoto Lake as a resting area.