Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we ask that you recreate responsibly.

  • Check alerts and local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information. Operations vary based on local public health conditions.
  • Consistent with CDC recommendations, all visitors (age 2 and older), who are fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask inside of federal buildings in areas of substantial or high community transmission.. All visitors who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick and continue to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance on how to protect yourself and others.


Features

  • Yellow Headed Blackbird

    DeSoto Photo Contest

    Calling all amateur and professional photographers for the inaugural DeSoto Photo Contest.

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  • Catapillar on Milkweed

    Mmmm, Milkweed!

    Keep an eye out for emerging milkweed. This is the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat, so consider this while planning your garden!

    Milkweed Seed Finder

  • FWS Journal

    DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge News

    See the latest activities, events and conservation work at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.

    Learn More

  • Facebook

    Follow DeSoto on Facebook

    Keep up to date with the latest wildlife sighting, news and events through our Facebook page.

    Follow DeSoto on Facebook Here

News

Current Conditons in Response to Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak

The DeSoto Visitor Center (including the Bertrand Museum) has reopened with adjusted hours. The current temporary hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We will adjust back to normal daily open hours as conditions continue to improve and staffing of visitor center returns to normal. Updates will be posted on refuge website and social media. The refuge roads and trails remain open daily from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Program

Best of Show Iowa Junior Duck Stamp

The Junior Duck Stamp Program uses art and science to teach students in grades K-12 the value of wetlands and the waterfowl that use them. Judging of Iowa entries will be held in March with an award ceremony for all 100 winners in April. Iowa entries must be postmarked by March 15. View the 2020 winning artwork by following the link below.

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America the Beautiful Passes

Interagency Senior Pass

Senior Lifetime, Senior Annual, Interagency Annual, Military, Disabled Access Passes, and Every Kid in a Park (4th Grade) passes, along with the Federal Duck Stamp and Refuge Specific Passes, are available at the DeSoto Visitor Center.

More Information
Steamboat Bertrand Museum

Steamboat Bertrand Museum

Bertrand Steamboat Museum

The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge visitor center features the Steamboat Bertrand Museum. This museum houses over 250,000 artifacts excavated from the buried wreck of the Steamboat Bertrand

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About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

NWRS Logo

The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
Follow NWRS Online