DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Missouri River and borders both Iowa and Nebraska. Within its 8,365 acres lies DeSoto Lake, an oxbow lake that used to be a bend in the Missouri River. The refuge contains bottomland forests, tall grass prairie and wetland habitats that are managed to mimic the natural Missouri River floodplain habitat to benefit a diversity of migratory birds that flock to the refuge each year in the spring and fall. The refuge also contains a piece of history within its borders, the Bertrand Steamboat. The Bertrand sunk on the bend of river that is now DeSoto Lake leaving behind the cargo and historic time pieces, amounting to almost 250,000 different artifacts housed within the walls of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is truly a place where wildlife meets history!
Temporary Refuge Closure Dec. 27-30 for Managed Deer Hunt

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge will have an antlerless muzzleloader deer hunt on December 27-30, 2024.  During the hunt, all refuge roads and nature trails will be closed beyond the visitor center to ensure public safety and facilitate a white-tailed deer hunt.   The visitor center will remain accessible and open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  To accommodate visitors, the visitor center hours will be expanded to include Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  If Iowa or Nebraska hunters are interested in participating in the managed hunt, contact Peter Rea at 712-388-4803 or peter_rea@fws.gov.  

Visit Us

Vibrant red/orange sunset over partially frozen lake with waterfowl floating in open water
Image Details
Sunset on DeSoto Lake.

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a chance to explore the unique Missouri River floodplain habitat. After years of alteration to this river system, the refuge provides a glimpse into the historical floodplain habitat and the wildlife that depend on it.

DeSoto NWR Bird Count 

Location and Contact Information

      Visitor Center Hours

      The DeSoto Visitor Center is currently open Tuesday - Saturdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (except for on Federal Holidays).  Refuge roads and trails are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

      About Us

      Mostly pintail and mallard ducks in wetland
      Image Details
      Mallard and Northern Pintails gathered in a refuge wetland. 

      DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Missouri River and borders both Iowa and Nebraska. Within its 8,365 acres lies DeSoto Lake, an oxbow lake that used to be a bend in the Missouri River. The refuge contains bottomland forests, tall grass prairie and wetland habitats that are managed to mimic the natural Missouri River floodplain habitat to benefit a diversity of migratory birds that flock to the refuge each year in the spring and fall. The refuge also contains a piece of history within its borders, the Bertrand Steamboat. The Bertrand sunk on previous riverbend leaving behind the cargo and historic time pieces, amounting to almost 250,000 different artifacts housed within the walls of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is truly a place where wildlife meets history!

      What We Do

      Services
      The Federal Recreation Fee Symbol with the FWS Shield in the center.
      DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Entrance Passes

      DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is a federal fee area and a valid entry permit is required to enter the refuge, travel on roads, or to visit the DeSoto Visitor Center that houses the Steamboat Bertrand Exhibit. Daily fees are collected at the visitor center or self-service fee stations at...

      Service
      Entrance Passes
      Kayakers navigating a swamp full of trees and lily pads.
      Federal Recreation Passes

      Some 30 national wildlife refuges  charge visitors a nominal entrance fee (generally $3-$5 daily) to cover road and facility maintenance. If you are a regular visitor or would like to visit other public lands, you could save by buying an America the Beautiful Federal Recreational...

      Service
      Entrance Passes
      Children in yellow shirts run down a path or trail at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
      Every Kid Outdoors Pass

      The Every Kid Outdoors program allows 4th-graders to see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free.

      Annual 4th Grade Pass

      Cost: Free, non-transferable, valid for the duration of the 4th-grade schoolyear though the following summer (September-August).

      ...
      Service
      Land Management and Conservation Assistance
      Educator/Education Facility
      Silhouette of a person walking with a shotgun on the tundra
      Apply for a Special Use Permit on National Wildlife Refuges

      Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office, and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are...

      Service
      Communication
      Permits
      Business Owner/Commercial Business
      Educator/Education Facility
      Landowner - Commercial
      Landowner - Individual
      Oil/Gas Company
      Private Land Owners/Managers
      Researcher or Research Facility - Commercial Scientific

      Our Species

      Mallard duck standing on log with one leg stretched out
      Image Details
      Mallard standing on log.

      DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge acts as a rest stop for birds. Thousands of birds migrating along the Missouri River corridor utilize the refuge as a sanctuary and resting place as birds make their migration journey in the spring and fall. The refuge is best known for the big flocks of migratory waterfowl utilizing the refuge wetlands and lakes. Along with the waterfowl, bald eagles will congregate on the refuge. Songbirds are also abundant later in the spring and during the summer months. The bottomland forests, grasslands and wetlands provide a diverse mosaic of habitat that benefit more than 100 species of birds including dickcissels, orioles, yellow-headed blackbirds, red-headed woodpeckers, yellow warblers and common yellowthroats.

      For information on the latest bird count click here

      Projects and Research

      Our National Wildlife Refuges are places for everyone to learn about and discover the outdoors. This opportunity is utilized by numerous local grad students from local universities and other government organizations over the years, researching parts the wide variety of wildlife and plant species that use or call DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge their home. If interested in performing a research project on refuge lands please contact:   

      Besides just grad student research, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge also utilizes citizen science projects to help improve our understanding of the natural world, enabling us to evaluate our management practices for our wildlife.