Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Happy Monday friends! I had the great pleasure of returning to visit family in Iowa where I grew up recently. Before catching my flight back to Los Angeles, I was able to visit the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge just outside of Des Moines, and today I’m taking you along for a virtual visit.
Neal Smith Learning Center near Des Moines
History
Before European-American settlement in the 1800s, Iowa was rich with diverse wildlife and tallgrass prairie, where local native tribes thrived, including the Dakota Sioux & Ioway. After extensive hunting and farming in the 18th century, most of Iowa’s large game wildlife were decimated, which included bears, bison, elk, and wolves. However, it wasn’t only the animals that were affected here. Tallgrass prairie, which covered 85% of Iowa, was destroyed…and today, less than 0.1% of Iowa’s original prairie remains in small isolated fragments.
Bison at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa
Current Day
In 1990 a 3,600 acre block of land, which was originally acquired for use as a nuclear power plant, was secured by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established. Located in Prairie City (about twenty miles east of the Iowa state capital of Des Moines), the refuge protects, restores, and manages native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow.
Over the years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has acquired an additional 5,000 acres of land here. In an effort to bring back native prairie plant communities, refuge staff and volunteers have gathered and used local seed sources to replant and reconstruct 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie.
Bison at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife
Along with hundreds of native plant species, the refuge is a great place for birders who want a chance to see over 200 species (I counted over a dozen on my most recent visit). Reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies all call the refuge home as well…and larger animals include white-tailed deer, fox, coyote, and elk. In 1996, more than one hundred years since buffalo roamed freely here, a small herd of bison was reintroduced at the preserve, which can be enjoyed up close here as well.
Tallgrass Prairie at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa
Savanna Trail at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Trails
Popular trails here include the 0.5 mile Overlook Trail and the Tallgrass Loop Trail. This gentle hike is paved and covers 2.2 miles with 100 feet in elevation gain with viewing benches every half mile. The trail leads from the Neal Smith Learning Center (visitor center) and butterfly exhibit area in a loop around the beautiful tallgrass prairie.
Another popular trail is the Savanna Trail. This is a very easy loop at just over half a mile, but it packs a natural wonder punch. As you walk along the path you’re surrounded by a rare natural historic feature. Midwest Oak Savanna used to reach far and wide in Iowa, but now this is one of the rare spots to experience it up close (it’s also a popular place to see deer roam around sunrise and sunset).
The Neal Smith Scenic Bike Trail is considered moderately challenging at just over 9 miles out and back, and it’s popular for road biking, trail running, and walking.
Bison at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Bison Auto Tour at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Bison Auto Tour
One of the most popular attractions at this refuge has to be the 5 mile auto tour. This self guided 5 mile drive allows you to visit the 800 acre bison area where over 50 bison can currently be found. As many as 30 Rocky Mountain Elk also roam here. An audio guide is available for you to download for your drive with details and historical information. While there’s never a guarantee you’ll see the large wildlife along this drive, there’s often a high probability (on my most recent visit I didn’t see any elk, but I did see over 30 bison). Because these large animals have free roam here, it’s a requirement to stay in your vehicle and on the official roadway at all times. If you’re lucky enough to get caught in a “bison jam” as the herd crosses the road, you’ll get incredible up close views, as well as a very real appreciation of why it’s so important to adhere to the refuge regulations – as adult males can reach over 2,000 lbs.
Bison Auto Tour at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Know Before You Go
• Ample parking and restrooms are available at the visitor center and at the trailhead for the Savanna Trail.
• One should allow for at least 30 minutes for the 5 mile auto tour…many people spend over an hour here when the bison are roaming close to the gravel road.
• The refuge is open year round, but Winter snow and heavy rains can affect the road and trail conditions.
• It’s incredibly important to follow the Leave No Trace Principles here to protect the fragile ecosystem and diverse animal life.
• Keep the wildlife wild and never approach animals (big or small) here.
Tallgrass Loop Trail at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
In Summary
Thank you so much for joining me this week in Iowa. For a virtual visit of the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Walnut Creek at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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