About Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 with the mission to actively protect, restore, reconstruct and manage the diverse native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow. Prior to European-American settlement, tallgrass prairie covered 85% of Iowa. Today, less than 0.1% of Iowa’s prairie remains in small isolated fragments. In an effort to bring back native prairie plant communities, refuge staff and volunteers gathered and used local seed sources to plant approximately 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie. Today, the refuge protects 6,000 acres providing food, cover and breeding habitat for resident and migratory wildlife.The refuge also serves as a major environmental education, volunteer and outdoor recreation hub for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy. Additionally, the refuge provides assistance to local landowners as they improve their lands for wildlife habitat. Lastly, the refuge tries to increase scientific knowledge and understanding of the prairie and savanna through ongoing, targeted and innovative research. The refuge achieves these goals through community involvement and by working and partnering with others.
How to Get There
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is located 20 miles east of Des Moines and 9 miles south of Interstate 80. From Des Moines, take Highway 163 to the Prairie City exit. Go straight from the off-ramp and follow the paved 4.5-mile entry road to the visitor center.From I-80, take the Colfax exit and turn south on Hwy 117. Drive 6 miles following Hwy 117; turn right in Prairie City to continue on Hwy 117. Cross Hwy 163, and turn right on the paved entry road.Please note that GPS units and online mapping services do not always give accurate directions to the refuge. If you have questions about how to get here from a specific location, please give us a call at 515-994-3400.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1534) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge?
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is located 20 miles east of Des Moines and 9 miles south of Interstate 80. From Des Moines, take Highway 163 to the Prairie City exit. Go straight from the off-ramp and follow the paved 4.5-mile entry road to the visitor center.From I-80, take the Colfax exit and turn south on Hwy 117. Drive 6 miles following Hwy 117; turn right in Prairie City to continue on Hw…
How do I contact Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 515-994-3400 or email: nealsmith@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
