Facility Activities

Photographer crouched in prairie photographing pale purple coneflower
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Visitors are welcome year round at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. There's something for everyone here, from a rainy-day trip through the exhibits to a hike along the trails and from deer hunting to photographing native Iowa wildlife. Each season brings new things to discover!

Auto tour

Interested in a virtual tour of the refuge? Check out our OnCell website for the refuge's guided Auto Tour, or dial (515) 219-4670 to begin.

 

Biking

Bicycling is a wonderful way to see the refuge because visitors can travel can travel along our entry road. There is a 4.5 mile paved bike lane along Pacific Street, open year-round.  Remember that the road may be snowpacked, wet or uneven due to gravel; please ride slowly and be aware of...

Birding

The Refuge's 6,000 acres include prairies, savannas and sedge meadows that attract many types of birds to the refuge. Annually over 200 species of birds can be found at the refuge.

Cross-country skiing

The refuge does not groom any trails for cross country skiing, but visitors are welcome to enjoy the activity on parts of the refuge open to public use.

Dog walking

Dogs on 6-foot leashes are allowed to enjoy the trails with their owners. Visitors should use disposable dog waste bags to remove all solid pet waste when visiting. Trash cans are available at the visitor center, oak savanna parking lot, and basswood parking lot. In areas where there is no trash...

Education programs
Environmental Education at Neal Smith

Interested in a field trip? Check our online registration for current hours and to schedule a visit.

Neal Smith staff provide three types of environmental education field trips:

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Hiking

The refuge is a great place to hike. For information on available trails, please view our trails section.

Hunting

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge has the unprecedented task to reconstruct the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, which includes native wildlife, grasses and wildflowers. Deer are common in the area and offer the archery, muzzleloader or shotgun hunter an exciting experience. Pheasant also thrive...

Photography

Perhaps the fastest growing activity on National Wildlife Refuges in the past ten years has been wildlife photography. That’s not surprising when you consider the popularity of digital cameras and cell phones with ever-improving picture-taking abilities. You don’t need to purchase expensive...

Picnicking
A few sites allow picnicking at designated areas.
Ranger-led programs
Rangers lead wildlife walks, tours and educational programs at many sites. Events may focus on wildflowers or birds or on seasonal spectacles, such as elk bugling or sea turtle nesting. Some programs may be limited in size or require advance registration. See individual websites for details.
Running
Many multi-purpose trails are open to runners and joggers as well as walkers and, in some cases, bicyclists. Some sites host annual fun runs. Check individual refuge websites for details.
Snowshoeing

Venturing around the refuge on a pair snowshoes offers incredible exercise in the middle of Iowa's snowy winter. 

If there is at least 4 inches of snow, stop by the refuge visitor center during open hours to borrow snowshoes for free (adult and child sizes available).

Wild edible foraging

Foragers may enjoy picking mushrooms or berries at the refuge. There are limits to what you can take, and we recommend checking our regulations before your search.  Reminder: Some mushrooms and berries are poisonous - if you are unsure, don't eat!

Visitors are...

Wildlife watching

With over 6,000 acres and a visitor center, this refuge can help you rediscover nature, and provide excellent opportunities to visit protected, public lands that are managed for wildlife, plants, and the natural spaces they need to thrive for generations to come.

You can discover hundreds...