Swans and smaller ducks on Binford Pond at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Debbie Koenigs/USFWS · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
Mingo Refugewinter wildlife
At Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for winter wildlife comes in 3 separate phases, each its own display: Fall migratory birds, September and October; Winter waterfowl, November to February, peaking early to mid-December; and Wintering bald eagles, December to February. No official report yet this season.
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Ozark Highlands Auto Tour Route and Sweet Cabin Trail open, March to NovemberNowMar–Nov
- All refuge waters open to fishing and boating, March 1 to September 30NowMar–Sep
- Spring migratory birds: April and May are the best monthsApr–May
- Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best monthsNowSep–Oct
- Sep: Bald cypress turn color in SeptemberNowSep
- Oct: Fall color peak, usually the last week of OctoberOct
- Waterfowl sanctuary areas closed to access, October to FebruaryOct–Feb
- Winter waterfowl in large numbers, November to February (peak usually early to mid-December)Nov–Feb
- Bald eagles nest, December to AprilDec–Apr
- More bald eagles as winter visitors arrive, December to FebruaryDec–Feb
- September–OctoberFall migratory birdsSeptember and October
- November–FebruaryWinter waterfowlNovember to February, peaking early to mid-December
- December–FebruaryWintering bald eaglesDecember to February
This week at Mingo Refuge
Where to watch
- Bluff Road and Red Mill DriveThe two wildlife drives open all year: drive them to look for wildlife and swamp scenery. Bluff Road leaves MO-51 just north of the visitor center entrance, and Red Mill Drive starts from Bluff Road
- Swampwalk Nature TrailAn accessible 0.8-mile raised boardwalk and asphalt path through bottomland hardwood forest beside Ditch 11, near Rockhouse Marsh just below the visitor center; open all year, reached from Bluff Road off MO-51 or down the short, steep Bluff Trail from the visitor center
Nearby
- Tennessee Refuge121 miLocal timing: early January · starts in ~3 monthsTuSunnyWeSunnyThMostly Sunny, rain likelyFrRain Showers Likely, rain likelySaRain Showers Likely, rain likelySuRain Showers Likely, rain likelyMoSlight Chance Rain Showers, rain likely
- Wheeler Refuge245 mi3 separate phases, from SeptemberTuSunnyWeSunnyThSunnyFrMostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyMoSlight Chance Rain Showers, rain likely
- Sequoyah Refuge289 miLocal timing: November through January · starts in ~5 weeksTuMostly SunnyWeMostly Sunny, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyFrShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuSlight Chance Rain Showers, rain likelyMoSunny
- Flint Hills Refuge331 miLocal timing: November, when numbers peak · starts in ~5 weeksTuChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeChance Rain Showers, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyFrChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaPartly SunnySuMostly SunnyMoSunny
Mingo Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge?
In 3 separate phases: Fall migratory birds, September and October, Winter waterfowl, November to February, peaking early to mid-December and Wintering bald eagles, December to February. They're separate displays, not one long season.
Is it wildlife season at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Is there a fee?
Yes. Every vehicle needs an entrance permit all year: a $3 daily permit (sold at the visitor center and at the entrance kiosks), a $12 Mingo annual pass, a Federal Duck Stamp or an interagency pass.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is it open?
Refuge lands and trails are open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. The visitor center is open Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on federal holidays.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which drives are open in winter?
Bluff Road and Red Mill Drive are open all year. The Ozark Highlands Auto Tour Route is open only March through November, so it's closed in December, January and February.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I go anywhere on the refuge in winter?
No. Waterfowl sanctuary areas shown on the refuge map are closed to access October through February, and signs marking a sanctuary area mean it's off limits. Vehicles must stay on designated roads.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dog walking is one of the refuge's activities, but pets must stay on a leash: letting pets off leash is prohibited.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Mingo National Wildlife Refuge?
Bluff Road and Red Mill Drive: the two wildlife drives open all year: drive them to look for wildlife and swamp scenery. Bluff Road leaves MO-51 just north of the visitor center entrance, and Red Mill Drive starts from Bluff Road; Swampwalk Nature Trail: an accessible 0.8-mile raised boardwalk and asphalt path through bottomland hardwood forest beside Ditch 11, near Rockhouse Marsh just below the visitor center; open all year, reached from Bluff Road off MO-51 or down the short, steep Bluff Trail from the visitor center.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Mingo National Wildlife Refuge?
Waterfowl sanctuary areas closed to access, October to February (Oct–Feb).
What is Mingo National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Bald cypress turn color in September (Sep), Fall color peak, usually the last week of October (Oct), Spring migratory birds: April and May are the best months (Apr–May), Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best months (Sep–Oct), Winter waterfowl in large numbers, November to February (peak usually early to mid-December) (Nov–Feb), More bald eagles as winter visitors arrive, December to February (Dec–Feb), Bald eagles nest, December to April (Dec–Apr), Ozark Highlands Auto Tour Route and Sweet Cabin Trail open, March to November (Mar–Nov), Waterfowl sanctuary areas closed to access, October to February (Oct–Feb) and All refuge waters open to fishing and boating, March 1 to September 30 (Mar–Sep).
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mingo NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)