Recreation and Education

Environmental Education

	Park ranger Charles Marshall presenting a program to a school group. Photo by Frank Durbian.

Squaw Creek has a full-time environmental educator who is available to assist teachers and school groups upon request. The refuge has a number of educational materials and field activity supplies that can be used for scheduled groups. A new auditorium for programs was constructed in Spring 2003 and an outdoor classroom was completed in Summer 2006.

Fishing

	Fishing below the Eagle Pool water control structure. Photo by Frank Durbian.

There are limited fishing opportunities due to shallow water. However, fishing is permitted in pools and ditches adjacent to the auto tour route in accordance with Missouri state regulations. In addition, snagging of non-game fish is permitted from March 15 to May 15 in years when water is released from the Eagle Pool outlet.

Hunting

	Buck white-tailed deer walking through the bottomland forest on a frosty morning. Photo by Kenny Bahr.

A special white-tailed deer hunt is held annually in January to manage the high population of refuge deer. The hunt is for muzzleloading firearms and antlerless deer. There are a limited number of permits available. The Refuge white-tailed deer hunt is a Managed Deer Hunt held in coordination with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Managed Deer Hunt Applications are generally accepted during July each year, with a random drawing held by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Interpretation

	Interpretive panel next to the Eagle Pool observation tower. Photo by Charles Marshall.

Squaw Creek has free leaflets available to visitors upon request. These provide interpretation of the refuge, the auto tour route, the Loess Bluff hiking trail, and several of the wildlife species that are found in the area. There are two interpretive pull-offs on the auto tour route and interpretation on the Callow Memorial hiking trail. In addition, there is a small sales area in the visitor contact station with interpretive items that can be purchased.

Wildlife Observation and Photography

Squaw Creek has a ten-mile, self-guided auto tour route. This loop road provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy wildlife in a natural setting from the comfort of a vehicle. There are three hiking trails: the Eagle Overlook trail, a 1½-mile round-trip walk that allows visitors to hike between the two largest refuge wetlands; the Loess Bluff trail, a 9/10-mile loop trail that climbs 200 feet on rock steps, hand-laid by the Civilian Conservation Corps, to the top of bluffs for a panoramic view of the refuge; and the Callow Memorial trail, a ½-mile round trip walk for physically challenged visitors that leads to the base of the loess bluff grasslands.

	Viewing snow geese on Eagle Pool during the spring migration. Photo by Ron Bell.