National Wildlife Refuges Along the Lewis and Clark Trail in Missouri | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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Today, the National Park Service’s Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail covers about 3,700 miles in 11 states and many tribal lands from Wood River, Illinois, to Astoria, Oregon.

A couple dozen U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national wildlife refuges are situated roughly along the explorers’ westbound route. . . .

Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

In May-June 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition followed the Missouri River across the river’s namesake state just as Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge does now.

Today, a great place to connect with the expedition is on the Lewis and Clark Trail of Discovery at the refuge’s Jameson Island Unit. Near the historic village of Arrow Rock, the one-mile interpretive trail leads from a parking area to the banks of the Missouri River. A walk along the trail is “representative of what the historic river and floodplain habitat may have looked like during the Corps of Discovery journey,” says refuge visitor services manager Tim Haller. . . .

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

In early July 1804, the westbound expedition camped for two nights near what is now Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, about 90 miles north of Kansas City. Clark noted in his journal that the prairies along the Missouri River were beautiful and that “the lands are low Subject to overflow.”

Today, the refuge’s wetlands attract millions of snow geese (see photo above) during spring and fall migration. More than 300 bird species have been documented at the refuge, including those seen by Lewis and Clark, such as American white pelicans, common egrets, American bitterns, Canada geese and wood ducks. Each year, the refuge celebrates the arrival of migrating bald eagles with Eagle Days on the first full weekend of December. A 10-mile auto tour loop allows visitors to see wildlife in a natural setting year-round.

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National Wildlife Refuges Along the Lewis and Clark Trail in Missouri | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

MoBikeFed comment: The Missouri River is one of our state's great natural resources - and one that is often overlooked.

Several bicycle touring and trail opportunities give you the chance to follow the footsteps of Lewis & Clark, visit some of the National Wildlife Refuges, conservation areas, and state parks along the Missouri River, and enjoy Missouri's great outdoors and natural resources:

* The Katy Trail follows the Missouri River and visits many Lewis & Clark sites: https://bikekatytrail.com/

* Adventure Cycling Association's Lewis & Clark Bicycle Route follows the Missouri River across Missouri: https://mobikefed.org/missouri-bicycle-maps-and-routes#lewisclark

* Need a little more hard core river time? MoBikeFed's Lewis & Clark Missouri River Adventure Bicycle Route, currently under development, explores the Missouri River and its communities in much greater detail: https://mobikefed.org/missouri-gravel-grinding-bikepacking-bicycle-route...

* Lewis & Clark - St Louis Confluence Tour takes you to all three sides of the Missouri/Mississippi Confluence and visits many L&C sites in the region: https://mobikefed.org/missouri-bicycle-and-touring-routes#katy-trail-con...

* Rock Island Trail - Quad States Connectors take you to Missouri River communities and destinations from Kansas City to St Joseph to Omaha: https://ridewithgps.com/events/89808-rock-island-trail-quad-state-connec...