Cypress in autumn at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Vicki Maples · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
Noxubee Refugefall foliage
November is the peak of fall colors at the refuge, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: usually November: … Peak of fall colors. Its usual window hasn't started yet this year.
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Feb: Tree blossoms: red maples and elmsFeb
- Lake fishing season, March 1 through October (bank fishing in set areas all year)NowMar–Oct
- Mar: Tree blossoms: redbud, crabapple, wild plum and dogwoodMar
- Mar: Eagles migrate off the refugeMar
- Apr: Red-cockaded woodpeckers start to nestApr
- Jun: Queen Anne's lace and maypops bloomJun
- Jun: White-tailed deer fawns are bornJun
- Jul: Black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers bloomJul
- Jul: Selected lakes are drainedJul
- Aug: Ironweeds bloomAug
- Aug: Alligators very visibleAug
- Oct: Fall colors start to showOct
- Oct: First osprey and bald eagles usually reportedOct
- Nov: Peak of fall colors; expect a killing frostNov
- Nov: End of the season for flowering plantsNov
- Nov: Woodcock flights arrive from the north; waterfowl numbers buildNov
- Dec: December is the refuge's peak hunting month: hunter orange recommended on trails in hunt areasDec
Visitor reports, not verified
Visitor reports for Noxubee Refuge open around Oct 11: that's when you can tell us how the trees looked.
This week at Noxubee Refuge
Right now in Noxubee Refuge · September
- Lake fishing season, March 1 through October (bank fishing in set areas all year) · Mar–Oct
Next usual fall foliage timingNovember: … Peak of fall colors, usually
Today here · Tue, Sep 29
Usual peak: November: … Peak of fall colors.
Best spots around Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
- Morgan Hill OverlookAn observation platform on Morgan Hill with perhaps one of the best views on the refuge, over the whole 450-acre Loakfoma Lake; the overlook trail is 0.39 mile
- Goose OverlookA viewing area on a bluff above the Dickerson Arm of Bluff Lake, reached by a level 150-foot concrete walk
Nearby
- Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi73 miLocal timing: from mid-October near Nashville to just before Thanksgiving near Jackson, Mississippi · starts soonTuSunnyWeSunnyThSunnyFrChance Rain Showers, rain likelySaShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelySuRain Showers Likely, rain likelyMoChance Rain Showers, rain likely
- Natchez Trace Parkway168 miLocal timing: mid- to late October · starts soonTuSunnyWeSunnyThMostly SunnyFrChance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaRain Showers Likely, rain likelySuRain Showers Likely, rain likelyMoChance Rain Showers, rain likely
- Talladega National Forest172 miStatewide: usually well under way by early November · starts in ~5 weeksTuSunnyWeSunnyThSunnyFrMostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelySuShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyMoChance Rain Showers, rain likely
- Little River Canyon197 miUsually late October and early November · starts soonTuSunnyWeSunnyThSunnyFrMostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers, rain likelySaRain Showers Likely, rain likelySuRain Showers, rain likelyMoChance Rain Showers, rain likely
Noxubee Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in 2026?
November is the peak of fall colors at the refuge, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: November: … Peak of fall colors. That's the usual peak in the source's own words, not a forecast.
How is the fall color in Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not yet: its usual fall foliage timing is November: … Peak of fall colors, usually.
When are the trails open?
The trails and boardwalks are open in daylight all year, and the refuge closes after dark.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the visitor center open on weekends?
No: it's open on weekdays and closed Saturday and Sunday. The refuge's page gives two different weekday schedules (7 am to 3 pm and 7:30 am to 4 pm), so call (662) 323-5548 before you go.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there hunting on the refuge?
Yes, in set areas and seasons, and some trails run through hunt areas. Wearing hunter orange is recommended during gun seasons, and birders should check where and when hunting is allowed.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Birding ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash on the trails. Keep it close: alligators live in the refuge's waters.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge?
Morgan Hill Overlook: an observation platform on Morgan Hill with perhaps one of the best views on the refuge, over the whole 450-acre Loakfoma Lake; the overlook trail is 0.39 mile; Goose Overlook: a viewing area on a bluff above the Dickerson Arm of Bluff Lake, reached by a level 150-foot concrete walk.
What is Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Fall colors start to show (Oct), Peak of fall colors; expect a killing frost (Nov), Lake fishing season, March 1 through October (bank fishing in set areas all year) (Mar–Oct), December is the refuge's peak hunting month: hunter orange recommended on trails in hunt areas (Dec), Tree blossoms: red maples and elms (Feb), Tree blossoms: redbud, crabapple, wild plum and dogwood (Mar), Queen Anne's lace and maypops bloom (Jun), Black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers bloom (Jul), Ironweeds bloom (Aug), End of the season for flowering plants (Nov), Red-cockaded woodpeckers start to nest (Apr), White-tailed deer fawns are born (Jun), Alligators very visible (Aug), Selected lakes are drained (Jul), First osprey and bald eagles usually reported (Oct), Woodcock flights arrive from the north; waterfowl numbers build (Nov) and Eagles migrate off the refuge (Mar).
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Hiking (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Birding (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Photography (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)