State guide
When to catch Missourithrough the year
We follow 4 places in Missouri for winter wildlife, spring migration, wildlife by season and fall foliage: fall at Mingo Refuge, winter at Clarence Cannon Refuge and Loess Bluffs Refuge, spring at Loess Bluffs Refuge and Mingo Refuge and summer at Loess Bluffs Refuge. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in Missouri
Also good in fall
- Clarence Cannon RefugeLarge concentrations of waterfowl: October and November are the best months
- Loess Bluffs RefugeFall snow geese (peak in mid to late November)
- Mingo RefugeFall migratory birds: September and October are the best months
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Missouri
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFEClarence Cannon RefugeOctober and November are the best monthsMissouri
“October and November are the best months” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- More winter wildlife:Loess Bluffs Refuge
Also good in winter
- Clarence Cannon RefugeResident deer, raccoons, squirrels and opossums: seen year round
- Loess Bluffs RefugeBald eagles, best in December and January (migration peak usually by December 1)
- Mingo RefugeWinter waterfowl in large numbers, November to February (peak usually early to mid-December)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Spring in Missouri
- SEASON · SPRING MIGRATIONLoess Bluffs RefugeFrom mid-February, peaking in mid-MarchMissouri
“from mid-February, peaking in mid-March” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- SEASON · SPRING MIGRATIONMingo RefugeApril and May are the best monthsMissouri
“April and May are the best months” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- More spring migration:Swan Lake Refuge
Also good in spring
- Clarence Cannon RefugeShorebird and warbler migrations usually peak around the first week of May
- Loess Bluffs RefugeSpring snow goose migration (arrive mid-February, peak mid-March)
- Mingo RefugeSpring migratory birds: April and May are the best months
- Swan Lake RefugeShorebirds: good time to look for them (April and May)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in Missouri
- SEASON · WILDLIFE BY SEASONLoess Bluffs RefugeJune - August are good timesMissouri
“June - August are good times” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in summer
- Clarence Cannon RefugeResident deer, raccoons, squirrels and opossums: seen year round
- Loess Bluffs RefugeWildlife with young
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Places in Missouri
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a Missouri trip
Towns to stay in
- Kansas City, MOLoess Bluffs Refuge · 75 mi
- St. Louis, MOTwo Rivers Refuge · 26 mi
- Columbia, MOSwan Lake Refuge · 67 mi
- O'Fallon, MOTwo Rivers Refuge · 14 mi
- St. Joseph, MOLoess Bluffs Refuge · 30 mi
- Joplin, MOSequoyah Refuge · 116 mi
- Jefferson City, MOClarence Cannon Refuge · 88 mi
- Cape Girardeau, MOMingo Refuge · 40 mi
- Nixa, MOFairview Trailhead · 91 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Browse by season and event
- Winter wildlife · 3 places hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
- Spring migration · 3 places hereSpring migration, everywhere →
- Wildlife by season · 1 place hereWildlife by season, everywhere →
- Fall foliage · 1 place hereFall foliage, everywhere →
Questions people ask
Is there a fee at Clarence Cannon Refuge?
No, there is no charge to visit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clarence Cannon NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is it open at Clarence Cannon Refuge?
Refuge lands, roads and trails are open daily, daylight only. The headquarters and visitor contact station is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except federal holidays, and may close for flooding or winter weather.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clarence Cannon NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there spotting scopes at Loess Bluffs Refuge?
Yes, at the visitor contact station, on the hiking trails and along the auto tour drive.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is it busiest at Loess Bluffs Refuge?
Friday through Sunday are the busiest days.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I drive the Ozark Highlands Auto Tour in the fall at Mingo Refuge?
Usually: it's open March through November when conditions and weather allow, but it can close at any time for maintenance or management. Bluff Road and Red Mill Drive are open all year.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there restrooms at Mingo Refuge?
Yes, inside and outside the visitor center, plus several pit toilets around the refuge.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Illinois · Iowa · Kansas · Indiana
Missouri in pictures
How we know
- Sep 29Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: October–November waterfowl, first-week-of-May shorebird and warbler peakSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clarence Cannon NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceFall snow geese from mid-October, peak mid to late November; spring peak mid-March; bald eagle migration peak usually by December 1Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceBest months for waterfowl (October-December) and bald eagles (December-January); auto tour, trails, hours, restrooms, directionsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceVisitor tips with the refuge's best months for spring and fall birds, fall color, winter waterfowl and eagles; permits, hours, trails and rulesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: fall color on the hills and swamps, spring songbirds, winter waterfowl and eaglesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceVisitor tips (shorebirds in April and May), fees, restrooms, trail and Wildlife Drive hours, the winter interior closure, programsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Swan Lake NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Show all 7
- Sep 29Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife and featured species: spring waterfowl and sparrows, late-spring shorebirds on drawn-down mudflats, Silver Lake from the auto tourSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Swan Lake NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)