Pilot Knob Guided Hikes
Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge hikes are coming soon. Come see the famous "Devil's Icebox" - one of the largest Indiana Bat hibernacula in Missouri.
Two dates and three hikes available to register:
Wednesday, September 25th and Saturday, September 28th 9am and 12:30pm
Contact the Mingo Visitor Center at 573-222-3580 or by email at michael_beltz@fws.gov
News Release available here: https://www.fws.gov/media/pilot-knob-hikes-fall-2024
The refuge is closed to the public.
This refuge exists to protect endangered species habitat.
Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1987. The 90 acre refuge, a donation from the Pilot Knob Ore Company, is located on top of Pilot Knob Mountain in Iron County, Missouri. Pilot Knob is a peak in the St. Francois Mountains above the Arcadia Valley.
The refuge contains abandoned iron mine shafts excavated in the mid-1800s that have since become critical habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat. The Indiana bat hibernates within the abandoned mine shafts located at the peak of Pilot Knob Mountain. The bats generally arrive in September and leave in April.
The refuge contains abandoned iron mine shafts excavated in the mid-1800s that have since become critical habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat. The Indiana bat hibernates within the abandoned mine shafts located at the peak of Pilot Knob Mountain. The bats generally arrive in September and leave in April.
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To avoid disturbance to the bats and for public safety, the refuge is closed to all entry.