NoxubeeNational WildlifeRefugeTrail Guide

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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General Trail RegulationsAll Refuge trails are open duringdaylight hours only. Some trails maybe under water during flooding.

Pets are allowed on the trails as longas they are on a leash or under closecontrol (within 10 yards of the owner).This regulation is for the safety ofyour pet as well as the wildlife.

Foot traffic and bicycles are allowed onestablished trails. Horses and ATVsare not allowed. However horses maybe ridden on Refuge roads.

Woodpecker TrailAll species of woodpeckers native tothe Southeast can be found on thishalf-mile round trip trail. This trail isone of the shortest found on theRefuge, and if you have only 20 to 30minutes of time this trail is a goodchoice. Periodically throughout thetrail are informative signs explainingthe plants and animals you may find.

At the beginning of the trail, takethe right fork. The trail windsthrough a mature stand of loblollypine which houses an active clusterof endangered red-cockadedwoodpeckers. Notice how open this

This blue goose,designed by J.N.Ding Darling,has become asymbol of theNational WildlifeRefuge System.

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forest is. This openness is the resultof prescribed burns conducted byRefuge staff. These burns are used tocontrol undergrowth and to mimicthe “natural” fire ecology of the area.This practice also benefits the red-cockaded woodpeckers who preferopen, park-like, stands of older pines.The best time to observe these birdsis at sunrise or sunset as they areleaving their cavities to forage orcoming in to roost.

The trail also passes other species oftrees besides loblolly pine includingsweetgum, dogwood, and variousoaks. There are several bluebirdhouses along the trail giving thevisitors the opportunity to see thesebrightly colored birds as well. Onewooden bench, overlooking BluffLake, is located near the half-waypoint of the trail.

Beaver Dam TrailThis is a there-and-back type of trailthat makes for a round trip of a littlemore than two miles. The trailentrance is near the spillway on theBluff Lake levee and is marked witha large sign. It winds throughbottomland hardwood forest andoffers a good opportunity to viewvarious species of wildlife such asgreat blue herons, wood ducks, andeven white-tailed deer.

Except for the entrance where itleaves the levee, this trail is fairlylevel. There are a couple of spurs orside trails which lead to views of theadjacent Oktoc Creek. At thebeginning of the trail, in a bayou-likearea, you can expect to see woodduck nest boxes as well as a stand oflarge bamboo. A short distance fromthe trail is a stand of large baldcypress trees. Do not be surprised ifyou cannot locate a beaver dam, forthis trail's namesake disappearedlong ago, although beaver are stillcommonly seen in this area.

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Note:At the trail end, there is a signpostwhich reads “End of Trail.”Continuing past this point and ontothe levee road is not advised. Thelevee does not intersect with the mainroad or return to the trail head.Portions of this trail may be floodedwhen the river is out of its banks.

Goose OverlookThis thirty-foot high observationplatform overlooks Dickerson Arm ofBluff Lake. Newly reconstructed in1999, it is a favorite wildlife viewingarea for many people. Year-roundviewing opportunities exist assightings have included: bald eagles,screech owls, waterfowl, flocks ofturkey, deer, coyote, fox, alligatorsand many other species of wildlife.During the fall as many as 400Canada geese and up to 70 white-tailed deer have be seen at one timefrom this location. The platform isaccessed by a level, wheelchairaccessible, 150-foot concrete walkand boasts two binocular telescopes.The deck at the end of the platformhas four benches and is partiallyroofed.

Bluff Lake BoardwalkThis trail is located at the northend of the Bluff Lake levee, nearthe intersection of Bluff Lake Roadand River Road. This beautifulboardwalk offers visitors anotheropportunity to view wildlife in a verydifferent habitat. The boardwalkwinds through a cypress island atthe edge of Bluff Lake. Just under1,000 feet long, it wends its way to aroofed overlook on Bluff Lake.The overlook has a binoculartelescope for viewing wildlife.

This site is known as an excellentplace to view birds year-round.During the summer the overlookoffers the best view of an extensivecattle egret rookery. Spring and fall

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Refuge HeadquartersGreen Timber ReservoirFieldNon-Refuge LandsClosed Area (All Entry Prohibited)

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GTRRefuge BoundaryPaved RoadUnimproved RoadLevee Gate Closed Oct.1–May 1

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Woodpecker Trail

Morgan Hill Overlook and Prairie Trail

Bluff Lake Boardwalk

Scattertown TrailTrail of Big Trees

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Goose Overlook

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bring migrating songbirds to theedge of Bluff Lake, and theboardwalk offers the best access tothese elusive birds. Prothonotarywarbler nest boxes also can be seenalong the boardwalk. There arebenches along the way to rest andenjoy the sounds of the area or justto stop and watch the birds.

Morgan Hill Overlook and Prairie TrailConnecting the parking area to theMorgan Hill Overlook, this trail takesvisitors through an Alabama BlackBelt Prairie Restoration Area. Thetrail surface is packed gravel and theoverlook has a wheelchair accessibleramp. The Morgan Hill Overlook,equipped with a binocular telescope,provides visitors a panoramic vista of600-acre Loakfoma Lake.

From this trail visitors may see avariety of plants and animalsincluding Indian grass, white-taileddeer, fox and various species ofwaterfowl and songbirds. Spring andsummer are the best seasons to seeseveral varieties of butterflies. Fallwildflower viewing can be spectacularin this grassland habitat. In winterbald eagles can be seen regularlyfrom this overlook.

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Trail of the Big TreesThis 4-mile round trip trail parallelsthe Noxubee River and ends at a sign“End of Trail.” It is a there-and-backtype of trail (not a loop trail). If youfeel up to a good hike, this trailprovides a rewarding trip through abottomland hardwood forest thatcontains some of the biggest trees onthe Refuge.

To get to this trail, turn onto theRiver Road off of the Bluff LakeRoad and continue to the end. Thereis a parking area, and the trailentrance is marked with a sign.

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River Road is open year-roundexcept when flooded by the NoxubeeRiver. Many species of wildlife maybe observed from this trail includingbeaver, squirrel, deer and otter.The trail is marked with blazes, butsections can be difficult to navigatebecause storms blew down manyof the trees. There is a sign at theend of the trail which tells about afallen National Champion Shumardoak tree.

Wilderness TrailThis 4-mile loop trail is located at theend of Keaton Tower Road. As youenter the trail it skirts the NoxubeeRiver and offers beautiful views ofthe River. The sandy soil at thebeginning of the trail is a great placeto see tracks of wild animals such asbobcat, beaver, otter, white-taileddeer and raccoon. The trail loopbegins with a metal footbridgecrossing the Noxubee River. The trailthen leads hikers through beautifulold growth forest and past somespectacular root masses. This area isproposed for official wilderness

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designation since it has had no activemanagement for the past 80 years.It is an excellent example of anundisturbed bottomland hardwoodforest. This trail is also susceptible toflooding when the Noxubee Riverleaves its banks.

Scattertown TrailOne of the Refuge’s newest trails isthe Scattertown Trail. This 1.75-mileloop-trail is located in the Bevils Hillarea of the Refuge. It is constructedon the ridges of the Red Hills andis one of the Refuge’s most scenictrails. The view from the trail showsan excellent example of the RedHills vegetative communities.Upland hardwoods, shortleaf pine,mockernut hickory and a thick standof switch cane are some of the plantshikers will see. The upland hardwoodforests and hilly topography makethis one of the best places on theRefuge to see fall colors. The viewsfrom the top of the ridges into theravines can be spectacular duringboth fall and spring. Visitors to thistrail should be ready for moderatelysteep terrain.

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Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge2970 Bluff Lake RoadBrooksville, MS 39739662/323 5548http://noxubee.fws.gov

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILD

August 2004

Kermit Denver Laird ©