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St. Louis Region | Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area

Wetlands offer opportunity for hard-core and fair-weather visitors.

In March, Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area (CA), whose name in French means “fair weather marsh,” has plenty to offer both hard-core and fair-weather hikers and birders.

“Our spring waterfowl migration is going pretty good,” said Marais Temps Clair CA Manager Gary Calvert. “So, in March, there’s an opportunity to be able to see a lot more birds.”

Located in St. Charles County in the flood plain between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, the nearly 918-acre Marais Temps Clair CA hosts migrating waterfowl heading north. Nearly two-thirds of the area is managed wetlands, which attracts a wide variety of waterfowl and shorebirds, Calvert said.

Waterfowl and shorebirds are not the only winged attractions, as bald eagles have also taken up residence in the area.

“There’s one nest on Marais Temp Clair, but there’s two or three other nests within a few miles,” he said. “So, it’s not uncommon to see bald eagles any time of year.”

Although the area has no designated hiking trails, the more than 11 miles of levee-top service roads are open to hiking, he said.

“They could weave around and make that several more miles if they wanted,” he said.