State Parks and National Parks

Great River National Willdife Refuge

Annada, MO U.S.A.

P.O. Box 88
Annada, MO 63330
U.S.A.

573-847-2333

Open Year-Round

No Entry Fee Charged

State Park Information

The Great River National Wildlife Refuge protects 11,600 acres along 120 miles of the Mississippi River, stretching north of St. Louis. Three separate refuge units are in the floodplain on both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the river.

In 1998, the Great River refuge was designated as a globally important bird area, due to its value to shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl.

Because many habitats along the river have been lost or heavily degraded, refuge units are essential to provide links of high-quality habitat for many species of migratory birds, including shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl. As many as 70 to 80 percent of the ducks and geese migrating along this portion of the river are found on refuge units.

Habitats found within the refuge's three parcels include wetlands, open water, bottomland forests, and grasslands, which are important for numerous mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and hundreds of bird species.

The headquarters for the Great River Refuge is located on the Clarence Cannon Refuge. From St. Louis, take I-70 west and take exit Hwy. 79 north. Take 79 north approximately 35 miles to the town of Annada. Turn right on County Road 206 and proceed one mile to the refuge office.

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