Straddling Pike and Gibson Counties in Southwestern Indiana, the refuge stretches 20 miles in an east-west direction along the lower third of the Patoka River. It is located 30 miles north of Evansville, IN by way of Interstate 69, and is adjacent to the small towns of Oakland City, IN along State Road 64 and Winslow, IN on State Road 61. The refuge headquarters is located at 510 ½ West Morton St. in Oakland City on the south side of State Road 64.