Jackass Bend: Funny name, serious wildlands
Jackass Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Ray County, Mo.
Lewis and Clark rowed past this lowland forest reserve in 1804. Today it welcomes hardy visitors to explore its woods, clearings and Missouri River shoreline.
Trail Jackass Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Overview
Jackass Bend National Wildlife Refuge offers 861 acres of wildlands to explore. It’s part of the 20,000-acre Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, headquartered near Boonville, Mo. If you are looking for trails, or even service roads, you’ll be disappointed. If you are looking for quiet and a mostly undisturbed experience of Riparian (bottomland) forest, you’ll be delighted.This section of the refuge came to be when the Flood of 1993 destroyed thousands of square miles of agricultural land along the Missouri River. When the floods receded, devastation appeared. But what was destructive for agriculture was a boon for nature. Left to itself, the bottomland has rapidly returned to its native state of Sycamores, Cottonwoods, Hickory and Maple trees. Ground cover is thick, including reeds, tall grasses and vines. With effort, you can reach the Missouri River and walk the rocky shoreline. There are also two oxbow lakes within the refuge, but their size is dependent on rainfall.
There are no maps, so you’ll need a navigation aid, whether it’s an old-fashioned compass or a phone app. Avoid tick season and aim for visiting this area after the first frost and before no-see-ums return in the spring. For the adventurous, you can boat or kayak to the refuge. (For those into details: It’s only two miles east of Clay County, so although it’s in Ray County, we’ll call it close enough to include in this listing.)
USA Today published a fascinating profile of the Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge here.
Length No trails exist, but the entire area is free to explore.
Address and location Access Jackass Bend National Wildlife Refuge by taking Highway 210 to S. Union Road in Ray County (8446 S Union Rd, Orrick, Mo., 64077). Union, a gravel road, is a bit rough, but a four-wheel drive is not required. Here is a map showing the intersection that leads to the trailhead (go south one mile).
Conditions This area is only for those up for a challenge. There are minimal elevation changes (an occasional levy to walk up and down), but it’s 100% bushwhacking. There are no maps so you must be comfortable and capable of navigating with either a compass or map app. Wear long pants to protect yourself from scratching vines and bushes.
Kid friendly? This is only for the hardiest of kids.
How busy? You’re unlikely to see anyone. However, the area is subject to Missouri hunting seasons, so be aware of hunters and dress appropriately.
Pets Yes, unless stated otherwise.
