History
Originally known as Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, the name was changed to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge on January 11, 2017 in order to remove the derogatory word squaw from the name. The refuge was established on August 23, 1935 as an Executive Order 7156 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a refuge feeding and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge includes 7,440 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests along the eastern edge of the Missouri River floodplain. Overlooking the refuge from the east, the Loess Hills habitat is a geological formation of fine silt deposited after the past glacial period. These unique hills stretch from about 30 miles south of St. Joseph, Missouri, to extreme northern Iowa. Some of the last parcels of native plants, remnants of a once vast native prairie, can be found here. The refuge was officially named one of America's top 500 Globally Important Bird Areas by the National Audubon Society in 2001. The West
Specialties
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge offers something to everyone no matter the age. Explore the refuge via our 13-mile auto tour route, explore its Loess Hills on its three trails that offer sky views of the refuge below. Bring your children to the refuge to experience its Junior Naturalist program or after school program. Eagle Days are always the 1st weekend of December and offers the public views of our hundreds of Bald Eagles and hundreds of thousands of Snow Geese. Hours and more information The refuge headquarters/visitor contact station is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm daily and closed for all federal holidays. The refuge headquarters/visitor contact station is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm during the spring and fall migration. The Wild Goose Auto Tour loop is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset including all federal holidays. The refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for approved activities. There is no charge to visit the refuge.