Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

The Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge stretches across several units along the Missouri River between Kansas City and St. Louis, containing floodplain forests, wetlands, and side channels. The refuge supports diverse wildlife and waterfowl that depend on these varied riverside habitats.

The area was explored by Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s when it featured extensive floodplain forests and wetlands. The refuge was later established to restore these natural river habitats that had been altered by dam and levee construction.

The refuge provides observation areas where visitors watch migratory birds and waterfowl in their natural setting throughout the seasons. These riverside habitats serve as critical resting places for species traveling between North and South America.

The refuge has multiple entry points where you can hike, fish, hunt, and watch birds, though rules vary by unit. Check conditions at specific locations before visiting, as some areas may have seasonal closures or access restrictions.

The refuge actively restores natural river connections by creating side channels and removing levees to reconnect floodplains with the main river. These restoration efforts allow riverside habitats to return to more natural flow patterns.