Thousands of acres of floodplain forest, tallgrass prairie, and wetlands are currently being restored and protected within the refuge boundary. These habitats benefit a wide variety of wildlife including some 240 species of birds.

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was authorized in 1992 and established in 1997 to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat in and along the Missouri River. At Boyer Chute, the namesake side channel was restored after being blocked in 1937 to aid riverboat navigation. Following restoration, many of the wildlife species that historically utilized the land began to return and flourish in the area. On Boyer Chute visitors enjoy hiking and birding along the nearly 8 miles of hiking trails, hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey in the bottomland forests, and fishing along the restored chute.

Start your visit at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge with a drive on the auto tour route. This short drive takes you along the edge of the restored chute. Along the route are a number of parking lots providing access points to stop and bank fish along the Missouri River side channel or just to explore. At Sauger Parking Lot is an observation platform that extends out over the chute and provides for a good scenic view of this restored waterway. From the Main Parking Lot originates most of the trail system. A bridge from the Main Parking Lot will take visitors over the chute and onto Boyer Island. The island has an extensive network of trails along with a picnic shelter for visitors to enjoy.