Trails
Muscatine Slough Trail
Open season: Portions are closed from September 15 to December 31 for migrating waterfowl. The trail may flood if waters are high.
Length: 1.5 miles
Location of trail: This trail has two possible trail heads. The refuge office or the Muscatine Slough Trailhead parking lot. You can find the Muscatine Slough trailhead by heading north of the office on X61 about two miles. Turn right on 120th Street and go about one mile the parking lot is on the south side of the road.
Surface: Mowed grass or bare soil
Difficulty: Moderate
Information: This is an out and back trail or point-to-point trail. Assuming you start at the office, the trail runs along a small prairie and through an upland forest along a portion of the bluff. As you travel north the trail descends into the river valley along backwaters and down into a floodplain forest. Toward the north end of the trail, you will encounter some scrub-shrub and wetland habitats. You’ll find the Muscatine Slough Observation Deck at the northern point of the trail. Sometimes of the year this trail may be flooded.
Bluff Trail Loop
Open season: Year round
Length: 0.66 miles
Location of trail: Park at the visitor contact station.
Surface: Mowed grass or bare soil
Difficulty: Moderate
Information: This loop trail takes visitors on a walk through an upland forest. Watch for a variety of songbirds like several vireo and warbler species.
Sycamore Loop
Open season: Year round
Length: 0.3 miles
Location of trail: Park at the visitor contact station.
Surface: Mowed grass or bare soil
Difficulty: Moderate
Information: This loop trail takes visitors on a walk through an upland forest and has a deck with and overview of the Odessa Division. Watch for a variety of songbirds like several vireo and warbler species.
North Trail
Open season: Open January 1 through September 14, as conditions allow.
Length: 3.0 miles
Location of trail: The trail begins at the Schafer Access boat landing. From the office, head south on X61 about one mile and turn left on 97th Street. Then go about 0.2 miles to the boat landing. The takeout is at the parking lot at the end of 120th Street. From the office head north on X61 about two miles. Turn right on 120th Street and go about 1.5 miles to the boat launch before the road turns south. Be careful the bank is steep during low water.
Surface: This is a water trail, paddlers welcome.
Difficulty: Easy, during normal water conditions.
Information: The only one of the four Odessa Water Trails that cut through the heart of the refuge. After putting in at Schafer Access head north onto the refuge. In about a mile, you will leave the main lake and head into a series of narrowing chutes. During low water lotus beds make the trail appear impassable but keep going and you will be rewarded.
During the summer drawdown the water levels are low enough for wading birds like great blue herons. Pelicans, egrets and broods of ducklings are common sights. A variety of turtles balance on downed trees sunning themselves.
Goose Trail
Open season: Year round, as conditions allow.
Length: 4.2 miles
Location of trail: The trail begins at the Schafer Access boat landing. From the building head south on X61 about one mile and turn left on 97th Street and go about 0.2 miles to the boat landing. Connect to South trail to continue.
Surface: This is a water trail, paddlers welcome.
Difficulty: Easy, during normal water conditions.
Information: Goose trail runs along the southern border of the refuge. After putting in at Schafer Access head across the main lake to a narrow lateral ditch marked with a navigation arrow. Be sure to take the water trail map along to help you navigate. In the summer, some parts may not be passable due to low water. The trail is also popular with waterfowl hunters from mid-October to late November, so paddling this time of the year is not recommended. Watch for bald eagles and their nests high in the trees.
Mississippi River Trail
Open season: Year round, as conditions allow.
Length: 6.5 miles
Location of trail: The trail begins at the boat ramp at the end of 120th Street. From the office head north on X61 about two miles. Turn right on 120th Street and go about 1.5 miles to the boat launch before the road turns south.
The takeout is at the Toolesboro Boat Ramp. From the office head south on County Road X61 and go 5.6 miles and turn left onto Great River Road. Go one mile and turn left onto Prairie Street. The boat ramp is at the end of the road.
Surface: This is a water trail, paddlers welcome.
Difficulty: Easy, during normal water conditions.
Information: After putting in at the Port Louisa boat ramp head south on the Mississippi River. Stay out of the main channel and keep right. Enjoy the paddle as you watch for a variety of wildlife including a variety of ducks and geese, swans, pelicans and more.
South Trail
Open season: Year round, as conditions allow.
Length: 6.7 miles
Location of trail: The trail begins at the Schafer Access boat landing. From the office head south on X61 about one mile and turn left on 97th Street and go about 0.2 miles to the boat landing.
The takeout is at the Toolesboro Boat Ramp. From the office head south on County Road X61 and go 5.6 miles and turn left onto Great River Road. Go one mile and turn left onto Prairie Street. The boat ramp is at the end of the road.
Surface: This is a water trail, paddlers welcome.
Difficulty: Easy, during normal water conditions.
Information: This trail is not on refuge lands. It takes paddlers through the Odessa Wildlife Management Area. Goose Trail, which runs along the southern border of the refuge, connects to this trail.