Neal Smith
Prairie City, IA 50228
Plan Your Visit
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. At Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, visitors can participate in a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational and education opportunities to experience their native tallgrass prairie heritage. The visitor center is currently closed due to storm damage.
Outdoor activities include 4 walking trails, a 4.5 mile bike trail along the paved main entry road, Pacific Street, and a 5 mile auto tour, the Prairie Wildlife Drive, that enters the bison enclosure. Additionally, visitors and students can participate in scheduled programs, special events and get involved with volunteer projects.
The visitor center (Prairie Learning Center) is currently closed due to storm damage and the America the Beautiful passes are not being provided at the refuge at this time.
Driving Directions
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 contact us at nealsmith@fws.gov.
The visitor center (Prairie Learning Center) is closed due to storm damage for public safety. We will provide updates as they are available. Refuge lands, the five-mile Prairie Wildlife Drive auto tour loop that enters the bison enclosure, roads, and walking trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Activities
More Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. We partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and community residents to make a lasting difference.
Services
American the Beautiful Passes
The visitor center (Prairie Learning Center) is currently closed due to storm damage and passes are not being provided at this time. To purchase a pass online, visit the USGS Store.
About
Established in 1990, the refuge mission is to protect and restore native tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, and sedge meadow ecosystems, covering 6,000 acres today. Originally targeted for a nuclear power plant, the land was purchased in 1991 and later renamed to honor Congressman Neal Smith. The refuge serves as a hub for environmental education, research, and outdoor recreation while providing assistance to local landowners in habitat improvement.