Northern Missouri
Loess Bluffs refuge: snow-goose and eagle migrations near Mound City
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, about 5 miles south of Mound City in Holt County, is a federal refuge run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It draws migrating snow geese, waterfowl, and bald eagles, and has a 10-mile auto tour and trails.
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge sits about 5 miles south of Mound City, in Holt County. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service runs it. The refuge covers wetlands, grasslands, and forest along the edge of the Missouri River floodplain.
The refuge is a stopover for migrating birds. In the colder months, large numbers of snow geese and other waterfowl pass through, and bald eagles gather to feed. A one-way, 10-mile auto tour route lets you see wildlife from your car, and there are trails to walk.
Timing depends on the migration, not the calendar, so the crowds of birds shift from year to year. Hours, the auto tour, and current conditions can change with the season and the weather. Before you go, check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge page for the latest details.
References
More from Holt County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: June 20, 2026.