Trails
Loess Bluff Trail
Open season: Open year round to hiking
Length: 0.8 miles
Location of trail: Trailhead is at the visitor contact station
Surface: Wood chip, stone steps, dirt
Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Information: The trail begins at the visitor contact station and ends at the Callow Trail along U.S. Highway 159. This trail meanders through forest habitat to the top of the bluffs for a panoramic view of the refuge. The trail is moderately difficult due to the ascent of 200 stone steps, which were hand laid by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Munkres Homestead Trail
Open season: Open year round to hiking
Length: 1 mile
Location of trail: Trailhead is at the headquarters parking lot
Surface: Dirt, grass
Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Information: The trail begins at the headquarters parking lot and parallels U.S. Highway 159, then meanders through the forested habitat of the loess hills, eventually meeting up with the Loess Bluff Trail.
Callow Trail
Open season: Open year round to hiking
Length: 0.6 miles
Location of trail: Trailhead is at the headquarters parking lot
Surface: Paved, ADA Compliant
Difficulty: Easy
Information: The trail begins at the headquarters parking lot. It is an accessible, out and back paved trail. The trail is relatively flat, parallels U.S. Highway 159 and skirts the edge of the loess hill woodlands, extending to the foothills.
Turkey Ridge Trail
Open season: Open year round to hiking.
Length: 0.6 miles
Location of trail: Access from the Loess Bluff Trail and Munkres Homestead Trail
Surface: Dirt and grass
Difficulty: Moderate
Information: The trail skirts the bottom edge of the loess hills and eventually winds its way through the timber to the prairie at the top of the bluff.
Paw Paw Trail
Open season: Open year round to hiking
Length: 0.2 miles
Location of trail: Access from the Munkres Homestead Trail and the Loess Bluff Trail
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Moderate
Information: The trail connects the Munkres Homestead Trail and the Loess Bluff Trail. This is a short but steep 0.2 mile trail up the bluff.
Eagle Overlook Trail
Open season: Open year round to hiking
Length: 1.2 miles
Location of trail: Trailhead at the south end of the auto tour loop
Surface: Dirt and grass
Difficulty: Easy
Information: The trail begins at the south end of the auto tour drive. This trail is 1.2 miles out and back along the levee between Pelican Pool and Eagle Pool. A viewing tower is located at the end of the levee.