Mill Butte Trail (map)

The Mill Butte trail is a 4.5-mile loop trail can be accessed from the Refuge headquarters parking lot and is a wonderful family day hike. Mill Butte, at an elevation of 2619 ft., can be "summitted" via a 0.13-mile spur trail that is reached at approximately the mid point of the loop. Mill Butte offers a fantastic panoramic view of the Refuge and is well worth the short climb. The trail, which meanders along creeks and through beautiful old ponderosa pine forests, also offers a close-up view of how fire is being used on the Refuge to restore forest health.

The trail to the Butte is currently completed and we expect to have the entire loop trail completed in early 2009. The 1.5-mile unfinished section of the trail is well flagged and is open for use – you will just need to do a little bushwhacking until you reach constructed trail again.

The trail needs to be used to keep it from becoming overgrown, so get your boots out!

McMEET Trail (map)

The McDowell Marsh Environmental Education Trail (McMEET) is a 1.2 mile hardened environmental education trail offering the hiker an opportunity to explore five distinct ecological habitats, ranging from riparian to semi-arid, which are managed specifically for native plants and wildlife. Features of McMEET include:

• Universal accessibility over 1/2 mile of trail;
• Trailhead parking and directional signage;
• Self-guided narrative brochures geared to multiple learning levels;
• Hardened trail surface to minimize damage to sensitive soil and plants;
• A 280 ft. elevated boardwalk, which allows hikers to bridge the marsh drainage outfall;
• An observation blind where hikers can enjoy non-intrusive viewing of riparian wildlife; and
• A naturalized congregation area with universal accessibility that allows a group of hikers/students to view all five ecological habitats through which they have passed while their instructor reviews lessons learned from each section of the trail.