U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Water Access All refuge waters are open to fishing and Mingo National Wildlife Refuge boating March 1-September 30. Fishing and boating is allowed year round on Red Mill Mingo National Wildlife Refuge consists of Auto Tours Pond, Mingo River (South of Ditch 6 Road), 21,592 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, Stanley Creek, May Pond, Fox Pond, Ditches Bluff Road (6 miles, open year-round): cypress-tupelo swamp, marsh, and upland 1, 2, 3, 10, and 11, and Binford Pond. Southern portion of the refuge edged forest ecosystems. with swamp and bluffs Boats/Motors The refuge is managed for wildlife habitat and Red Mill Drive (7 miles, open year- The use of gasoline powered boat motors is people. The primary purpose of the refuge round): Public hunting area, ditch roads, prohibited on all refuge waters. Gas powered is to provide food and shelter for migratory and wetlands, including Rockhouse motors may be possessed outside of the waterfowl and to protect the bottomland Marsh Wilderness Area, but not used. The use of hardwood forest. Ozark Highlands (17 miles, open electric trolling motors is permitted outside When the last of the glaciers retreated over one million years ago, the mighty March-November): West side of the the Wilderness Area. Boats may not be left Mississippi River carved its way through the area we now call Mingo National Management of wildlife habitat at the refuge refuge, uplands, Wilderness Area, and overnight. An approved personal flotation Wildlife Refuge. emphasizes the natural productivity of the Monopoly Marsh device is required for each person in a boat. swamp. Water levels are manipulated with Hiking Paddling The Mingo Swamp Basin formed as the Mississippi River flowed south within a narrow water control structures and ditches. Water peninsula of hard rock called Crowley’s Ridge. Eighteen thousand years ago, scientists Mingo National Wildlife Refuge’s trails, Kayaking and canoeing on the Mingo River, levels are lowered during the summer, Stanley Creek, Monopoly Marsh and in the believe an earthquake caused the river to cross Crowley’s Ridge and join the Ohio River exposing the mud flats around the perimeter Wilderness Area, and roadways provide many near the present-day town of New Madrid, Missouri. As the river shifted east, it abandoned great hiking opportunities. Most hiking areas many miles of ditches is a unique way to of the marshes, to encourage seed-bearing experience the swamp from the water. A canoe its original channel and left behind the Mingo Basin. plants to grow. The water levels are raised in are available year-round, except those located within waterfowl sanctuary areas and the trail map is available at the Visitor Center and the fall to flood the marshes to provide food on the refuge website. Native Americans were attracted to the basin’s habitat, rich and abundant with wildlife for migrating waterfowl. area between Ditch 4 Service Road and Ditch resources. This is evident by cultural resources discovered on the refuge. Settlers also 6 Service Road, which are closed to access Fishing exploited the Mingo Basin. By 1890, the vast cypress and tupelo forests fueled a booming Acorns from oak trees are an important food October 1-February 28. Note: A good way lumber industry that ultimately led to the harvesting of nearly all the trees within the to gauge general distances on the map is by Fishing is permitted in designated areas source for dabbling ducks, turkeys, deer, of the refuge in accordance with State of refuge’s present boundary. In the wake of disappearing forests, large drainage ditches and squirrels. Water levels are adjusted looking at the north-south ditches, which are were etched throughout the swamp to prepare the land for farming. The expensive generally one mile apart. Missouri impounded waters’ regulations with particularly for the proper health and growth some exceptions. Please refer to current undertaking proved only partially successful and sharply contrasted with other drainage of the bottomland hardwood oak trees. Swampwalk Nature Trail (0.8 miles publication of the Summary of Missouri projects in southeastern Missouri, which effectively drained hundreds of thousands of acres - Low Intensity): meanders through Fishing Regulations. From March 1st until of hardwood swamplands. The combination of a depressed economy, expensive drainage Moist soil units are former farm fields that bottomland hardwood forest alongside September 30th, non-game fish may be taken attempts, poor farming practices, over-grazing, and numerous fires quickly brought are turned into flooded impoundments. They historical Ditch 11 near Rockhouse for personal use by nets and seines. Anglers economic and ecological bankruptcy to the Mingo area during the Great Depression. encourage growth of native seed production Marsh just below the Visitor Center; must attend trammel and gill nets at all times and enhance populations of aquatic insects wheelchair and stroller accessible and plainly label all nets and lines with the By the 1930s, the long-term, improper land use of the basin’s natural resources prompted and other invertebrates. Bluff Trail (0.14 miles - Moderate/High owner’s Conservation ID number. Anglers renewed interest in preserving the swamp. Purchase of land for the refuge began in 1944. Intensity): Connects the Visitor Center must remove all fishing lines and nets at the Through diligent and careful management, the land and wildlife began to recover. and the Swampwalk Nature Trial; a end of each day’s fishing. Wilderness Area short, steep hike in upland hardwood Mingo has nearly 7,730 acres designated as a Select Exceptions: forest limit: two gallon per day of mushrooms and Wilderness Area. The U.S. Congress defines Horseback Riding and Recreational Biking Hartz Pond Trail (0.16 miles - Low/ Only pole & line method may be used in berries and five gallons per day of pokeweed. wilderness as “...an area where the earth Equestrian use and biking is permitted year- Moderate Intensity): a small pond just Fox Pond & May Pond and its community of life are untrammeled round on the Ozark Highlands Auto Tour and south of the Visitor Center parking lot. No bow fishing or gigging is allowed on Pets by man, where man himself is a visitor who the refuge roads open to vehicular traffic. From March 1 Leashed pets are allowed on the Refuge. Sweet Cabin Trail (0.4 miles - Moderate to September 30, horseback riding and biking does not remain.” This is the most pristine Alligator Snapping Turtles and Alligator environment on the refuge. Visitors are Intensity): Backcountry hiking on the is allowed on the 6 mile loop of road between Select Prohibited Activities: edge of the Mingo Wilderness Area Gar must be immediately released welcome to walk, canoe, photograph, fish, Ditch 3 and 4, and the Ditch 6 Service Road. Feeding, injuring, disturbing, or just north of Stanley Creek leading to a Collection or harm to mussels, crayfish hunt, and study nature in the Wilderness All other roadways, dike tops, nature trails removing wildlife, plants, or natural Great Depression-era cabin and other species of aquatics is Area. To keep the area as natural as possible, and levees are closed to equestrian and items prohibited bicycle use. no motorized vehicles or boat motors are Photography Searching for or removing any object of allowed. Refuge auto tours and trails provide access to Hunting Wild Edibles antiquity including arrowheads, pottery Wildlife Observation countless nature photography opportunities. Hunting for squirrel, turkey, deer, and From March 1 to September 30, gathering or other artifacts The diversity of species and habitats attract Portable observation/photography blinds may waterfowl are permitted on designated of mushrooms, berries, and pokeweed is Camping year-round wildlife viewing opportunities be used in open portions of the refuge, but portions of the refuge. For specific permitted for personal use only in the area Open fires information, consult the Hunt Brochure, on the refuge. Early morning and dusk are must be removed daily. There are designated south of Ditch 11, west of Ditch 6 and north Overnight parking photography blinds on the refuge. Users must which must be read, signed and carried while the best times to observe wildlife. The most of the Ozark Highlands Auto Route to Ditch Shed antler hunting reserve blinds and can only access them with hunting. 4. Harvesting outside this area is prohibited. popular seasons are spring and fall during the Use of ATVs, UTVs, golf carts, or peak bird migrations. a free Special Use Permit. Contact the Refuge No ground disturbance is permitted. Harvest Office for more information. electric bicycles Any commercial use of a national wildlife refuge, including hunting guides, commercial fishing and filming are prohibited except as Rockhouse To Z may be authorized by a refuge Special Use Cypress Marsh P M Permit. To cGe e C 513 ree Duck McGee k In addition to these provisions, all state laws, Gate Creek CA county codes, and Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations apply on the Refuge. If you have any questions about the legality of any activity, please contact the Refuge office. Swampwalk Nature Trail Drive Mill Red (0.8 mile loop) 3 2 1 Gumstump L Fox Visitor Center Trails ic Pool Entrance Permits k Pond C Paved Trails r An entrance permit is required year-round for e Pool 7 Pool 8 e Boardwalk and Asphalt k each vehicle entering the refuge. Vehicles are defined as motor vehicles, persons on bicycles, Crushed Rock 4