Boating - non-motorized

Non-motorized boats are permitted on all portions of the Marais des Cygnes River within the Refuge.  However access to the River is limited the launch point is on the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Area and the takeout is a non-maintained area at the Stateline Bridge.  Check water levels since the River can fluctuate dramatically during the course of teh year.  Refuge property boundaries are located at the center of the River. Where sections of the river border private property, only half of the river adjacent to public property is open to public use. 

Non-motorized boat usage is also allowed on other bodies of water within the Refuge.  Please make sure that your kayak/canoe is clean prior to launching in any bodies of the water so as to not transfer any invasive species of mussel into those bodies.