Visit all three sections: oxbow, river access, ridge road to maximize your visit. 

Swans, Pelicans, waterfowl, wetland species. Spring- warblers, flycatchers, shorebirds. All defendant on water conditions.

There is three sections of the refuge: oxbow, ridge road, and river access. There is a large variation in the wetland areas since the oxbows are used for Missouri River overflow, therefore they are not maintained  at a consistent level. When they are wet they attract large numbers of waterfowl and marshland species. Ridge road areas are mostly old growth timber with a few prairie sites. The river access  section is now overgrown, therefore it is mostly wet woodland with a river launching ramp. What the area was and what it is now is completely different. I have found that I cannot set any expectations for visits to the site. A winter visit yields horned lark, longspurs and doves. Spring migration does yield warblers, flycatchers, and the what you can usually expect elsewhere. If you live close by than it is worthwhile, most of the time it is not worth a long drive.

Walk the trail at the viewing site and trails on ridge road.