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 colony
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 wooden benches overlooking 1,200 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 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 an Alabama Black Belt Prairie Restoration area.
The Morgan Hill Overlook provides the visitor with a panoramic vista
of 600-acre Loakfoma Lake, perhaps one of the best views found on Noxubee
Refuge.
This trail is proving to be one of the most popular at
the refuge. This trail is wheelchair accessible, 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 (Closed
Due To Tornado Damage).
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 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
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 expected to be 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.
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 |
