Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is a 21,676-acre wildlife refuge located in the state of Missouri.
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Summary
The refuge is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including more than 300 species of birds, as well as deer, turkey, and beaver. Visitors to the refuge can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and hunting.
One of the main draws of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is its wetlands, which are home to a variety of waterfowl species. Visitors can explore the wetlands by taking a canoe or kayak trip down the refuge's waterways. Other popular activities at the refuge include fishing, camping, and birdwatching.
There are several points of interest at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, including the Mingo Oak, which is believed to be more than 400 years old. The refuge also features a visitor center with exhibits on the local flora and fauna, as well as the history of the area.
Interesting facts about the refuge include its role in the conservation of the American bald eagle, which was once on the verge of extinction. The refuge played a key role in the recovery of the species, which is now thriving in the area.
The best time to visit Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the wildlife is most active. However, the refuge is open year-round, and each season offers its own unique experiences for visitors.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Mingo Wilderness Area
Yokum School Conservation Area
Lake Wappapello State Park
Duck Creek Conservation Area