Highlights
- One the best places to view birds and other wildlife with viewing platforms and bird blinds in the perfect location.
- 8.5 miles of trails with through prairies, wetlands, and along Ellis Bay. All places birds love to congregate.
- Ellis Bay is a very tranquil place to paddle and is spectacular at sunset
- Their website provides lots of great information about what birds are there and when new ones arrive.
- They offer great programs to peak your interest and help you learn more. Here’s their list of upcoming events.
Lowlights
- The water is muddy and there’s no swimming for humans, birds love it though
Getting There
Up near the confluence. An easy 30 minute drive from St. Louis. Google will get you there easily.Links
Tags
White Pelicans fly over Ellis Bay 
White Pelicans vie for a jumping carp. 
Trumpeter swans come in for a landing 
Herons pracing at Ellis Bay 
Red Breasted Merganser 
Coyote searches for a meal 
Heron Battle 
Deer graze along a trail around Ellis Bay
I don’t know how I managed to live in St. Louis for over 45 years without learning that it is one of the best bird-watching spots in the world. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers act as migratory paths for millions of birds and the abundant wetlands up near the confluence act at extended stop-over points for a huge variety of birds as they make their way to their destinations. For bird-watching, we aren’t just talking about very unlikely chance that you may see a couple birds of some rare species you’ve never heard of and don’t particularly care about. Instead, picture seeing 1000s of White Pelicans or Trumpeter Swans or Gulls or many other species that make their way through or nest in the area. I didn’t consider myself a bird-watcher until this year when I got exposed to how amazing it is to see all these birds congregating, fishing, flying, and making all sorts of noises at Riverlands. You can’t not be awed by it.
Riverlands also has lots of interesting trails through prairies and wetlands that include viewing platforms and bird blinds that expose you to new experiences you won’t find when hiking through the woods.
A prairie with a viewing platform overlooking Ellis Bay 
White Pelicans congregate in Ellis Bay 
The Melvin Price Lock and Dam is just South of Ellis Bay 
Ellis Bay is a perfect place for a sunset paddling trip 
Praire Grasses on gray winter day 
Deer grazing on wetland grasses 
Trumpeter Swans swim in a wetland pond
