Trail Information

 

Woodpecker Trail

All species of woodpeckers indigenous to the Southeast can be found, at times, on this half-mile round trip trail. This trail is the shortest of the trails found on the Noxubee Refuge. If you have 20-30 minutes of time, then this trail is a good choice.

At the beginning of the trail, take the right fork. The trail winds through a mature stand of loblolly pine which houses a active cluster of red-cockaded woodpeckers. About halfway down the trail is a informative sign which tells about the red-cockaded woodpecker.

As a management practice, the Refuge performs prescribed burns to control undergrowth, revert vegetation to a earlier stage of growth, and to mimic the "natural" fire ecology of the area. An informative sign is found on the trail which describes these activities.

Also on the trail are several other species of trees besides loblolly pine including sweetgum, dogwood, and oak. In addition there are several bird houses and a wooden bench overlooking 800 acre Bluff Lake.

 

Beaver Dam Trail

This trail is a little over two miles round trip and is one of the there and back type of trail, not a loop trail like the Woodpecker Trail. The trail entrance is adjacent to the Bluff Lake levee near the spillway and is marked with a large sign. It is a bottomland hardwood forest trail and offers a good opportunity for the hiker to view various species of wildlife such as great blue herons, waterfowl, and even white-tailed deer.

This trail is fairly level, except for the entrance where it leaves the levee. There are a couple of side trails off of the main trail which go over to the adjacent Oktoc Creek. At the beginning of the trail, in a bayou-like area, the visitor can expect to see several wood duck nest boxes. A short distance from the trail are some large bald cypress trees. Do not be surprised if you can not locate a beaver dam, for this trail's namesake disappeared long ago, although beaver are still common.

Beaver Dam Trail is a quiet, peaceful trail which is also a good source of exercise.

NOTE: When the trail ends, there is a signpost which reads "End of Trail". If you continue onto the GTR #1 levee, you may become temporarily misplaced.

 

Goose Overlook

This thirty-foot high observation platform overlooks Dickerson Arm of Bluff Lake and is a favorite wildlife viewing area for many people. During the fall, as many as 400 Canada geese, and up to 70 white-tailed deer can be seen at one glance in the fields and lake from this location. The platform is accessed by a level, handicap accessible, 150-foot walk and boasts two binocular telescopes. This site is open year-round, daylight hours only.

 

Bluff Lake Boardwalk

This beautiful boardwalk offers the visitor another quality opportunity to view wildlife and to just enjoy the peacefulness the Refuge possesses. Just under 1000 feet long, and ending with a roofed overlook of Bluff Lake, this is a "must see" for new and regular visitors. A great momentary escape from the hubbub of civilization. This trail is located at the north end of the Bluff Lake levee and across from the parking area near the sign for River Road and the Trail of Big Trees. The boardwalk winds through a cypress island on the edge of Bluff Lake and ends with a great view of the lake and a large cattle egret rookery. There are benches along the way to rest and enjoy the sounds of the area or just to stop and watch the birds.

 

Morgan Hill Overlook Trail

Connecting the parking area to the Morgan Hill Overlook, the trail takes the visitor through a Prairie Demonstration area. The Morgan Hill Overlook provides the visitor with a panoramic vista of 400-acre Loakfoma Lake, perhaps one of the best views found on Noxubee Refuge.

This trail is proving to be one of the most popular.. This trail is wheelchair accessible (packed gravel), and the visitor may see a variety of plants and animals including giant blue stem, bald eagles, Indian grass, white-tailed deer, and various species of waterfowl.

 

Trail of the Big Trees - (partially cleared - open 1/2 mile)

This trail, 4-mile round trip, parallels the Noxubee River and terminates at a former (now wind thrown), National Champion Shumard oak tree. If one feels up to a good hike, it is a rewarding (and yet sad) experience to view this fallen giant. The bottomland hardwood trail offers a serene hike through unique habitat and is one of the longest of the trails at Noxubee Refuge. It is also of the there-and-back type of trail (not a loop trail).

To get to this trail, turn onto the River Road off of the Bluff Lake Road, and continue to the end. There is a parking area, and the trail is marked with a sign. At times the River Road may be closed due to the flooding of the Noxubee River, but it is usually open. Many species of wildlife may be observed from this trail including beaver, muskrat, squirrel, deer and otter. The trail is marked, but the further you go, the less obvious the trail stands out. There is a sign at the end of the trail which tells about the downed oak. Upon reaching this sign, the trail hiker should return on the trail as they entered.

 

Wilderness Trail -- (Hurricanes Katrina and Rita felled a lot of trees here, the trail is in the process of being re-routed - the road in has some big holes).

This 4-mile round trip trail begins with a footbridge crossing the Noxubee River. The trail continues into a bottom land hardwood proposed wilderness area - no management within the past 80 years. It is a superb example of a undisturbed bottomland hardwood forest.

 

Scattertown Trail

One of our newest trails is 1.75 miles in the Bevils Hill area of the Refuge. This loop-trail is constructed on the ridges of the red hills and is one of our most scenic trails. The view from the trail shows a excellent example of the red hills community of vegetative types. Shortleaf pine stands, mockernut hickory and thick stands of giant cane are some of the plant types the hiker will see. The visitors to this trail should be ready for some steep terrain.

 

Dr. Ray Watson Memorial Trail

This walking trail originates and ends directly across the road from the visitor center. Approximately 3/4 mile long, it will take you through a typical pine-hardwood forest of the upper Coastal Plain. This is a loop trail and has a leaflet you can pick up a the visitor center. There are over 30 species of trees, shrubs and woody vines that have been identified along the trail.

 

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For further information contact:

Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
2970 Bluff Lake Road
Brooksville, Mississippi 39739

Telephone: (662)323-5548
Fax: (662)323-6390
Email: Noxubee@fws.gov