Featured U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Trails

The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service is a supporter of the National Recreation Trails (NRT) program. A wide variety of trails on National wildlife Refuges are designated National Recreation Trails. Some of these are featured below; click on the links to see more photos, trail descriptions, and links to National Wildlife Refuges that host the NRTs. Eligible trails may be designated in the future— see the U. S. Department of the Interior designation process for details.

	Interpretive display on the St. Paul Island High Bluffs Trail

Alaska

St. Paul Island High Bluffs Trail, Alaska — Located in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, this 6-mile backcountry trail takes visitors through a landscape of coastal cliffs, rolling tundra, windswept beaches, and the Bering Sea. See more photos...

Florida

Centennial Trail — Trails and boardwalks through upland and wetland habitats with an observation tower overlooking the historic rookery at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Illinois

Lower Cache River Trail — This 3-mile trail is the result of a successful partnership between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Nature Conservancy, which is working to preserve, restore, and manage a 60,000-acre complex of wetlands. The trail and surrounding area contains true southern swamps, 100 state-threatened or endangered plant and animal species, and 11 state champion trees. In addition to its many natural resources, the trail also provides recreational opportunities including fishing and kayaking.

Minnesota

Mahnomen Wildlife Trail, Minnesota — Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge offers three miles of scenic hiking over moderately level terrain through scenic natural areas.

Rydell Refuge Trails, Minnesota — This backcountry trail system extends over 7 miles throughout the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, showcasing a Sundew Bog and wildlife habitats that developed from the "fire shadow" effects of Maple Lake. This ecosystem represents a unique transitional zone between Prairie Parkland of the Red River Valley and the Eastern Broadleaf Forests. This handicapped accessible trail system allows for year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and cross country skiing (designated 2005).

View along the Magnolia Trail near Natchez, Mississippi

Mississippi

Magnolia Trail, Mississippi — Located just south of Natchez in St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, this 3-mile nature trail allows visitors to access various wildlife habitats and topographic features, including loess bluffs which offer views of the Mississippi and Homochitto Rivers. The refuge hosts a variety of wildlife, including migratory songbirds, waterfowl, and alligators. The trail serves a broad population in the southeastern Louisiana-southwestern Mississippi area, including many school groups who utilize the interpretive signs for environmental education (designated 2005).

Montana

	The Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk National Recreation Trail

Lee Metcalf NWR Wildlife Viewing Trail, Montana — This wildlife viewing trail extends over 2 miles in Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), one of the largest publicly owned riparian properties in the Bitterroot Valley. The refuge hosts approximately 150,000 people each year; and the trail is an integral part of the visitor experience. Trail users enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including wildlife observation, snowshoeing, and fishing. This scenic trail will eventually serve as a trailhead for the Bitterroot Birding and Nature Trail, the first trail of its kind in Montana.

Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk, Montana — This boardwalk trail offers a unique nature walk that transitions from shortgrass native prairie to a nationally-significant wetland ecosystem. The Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is home to an array of wildlife; and the boardwalk provides an excellent opportunity to observe the wealth of plant communities, shorebirds, and mammals. Although just a small piece (less than a half mile long) of the Refuge itself, the boardwalk is a key part of the visitor experience.

Nebraska

Meadowlark Trail — Located in Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, this 6-mile rural loop trail system accesses a variety of natural settings, including woodland, restored native prairie, and riparian habitats. The trail serves the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan area and may eventually link to the nearby community of Ft. Calhoun. In addition to its scenic features, trail users can enjoy biking, wildlife observation, and cross country skiing.

Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk

North Carolina

Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk — Located in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, this 3/4-mile loop trail meanders along the Scuppernong River through a cypress swamp and leads into downtown Columbia. The boardwalk introduces visitors to the beauty of the coastal sounds of eastern North Carolina. In addition to its scenic features, the trail provides for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and wildlife observation.

North Dakota

Munch's Coulee Hiking Trail — Located along the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge State Scenic Byway, this 1-mile loop trail provides spectacular vistas of the Refuge's wildflowers, Lower Des Lacs Lake, and nearby wetlands. The trail's native flora and fauna draw school groups from throughout the area. In addition to its scenic features, this trail offers ample opportunities for bird watching.

Oregon

Woodpecker Loop Trail — This backcountry trail runs a little over a mile in the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge and takes visitors through a variety of natural settings. Beginning in an oak woodland habitat, the trail climbs slightly to an overlook that affords exceptional views of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Range, and then continues down into forests of Douglas fir and mature maples. With interpretive signage as a guide, this scenic trail is a prime location for wildlife observation and offers users a chance to see five species of woodpeckers.

South Dakota

Prairie Winds Trail — Located in Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, this 3/4-mile walking/hiking trail passes through a variety of habitats, including prairie grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. The trail holds historical significance as well, preserving the site of South Dakota's first Catholic mass in 1845. With interpretive signage as a guide, this scenic trail is a prime location for wildlife observation and offers visitors the opportunity to observe white-tailed deer, waterfowl, and songbirds.

Washington

Oaks to Wetlands Trail — Located in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, this 6-mile nature trail offers a natural haven for residents of the nearby Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. A major highlight of the trail is the nationally recognized archaeological site of the village of Cathlapotle, part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Other trail features include wetlands, native flora, and a host of waterfowl. In addition to its natural and cultural resources, trail users enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing. This trail offers a place for area residents to keep in touch with their "wild" neighbors and appreciate the beauty of the type of natural areas that once were common along the lower Columbia River.

See 190 pictures entered in the 2007 NRT Photo Contest

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