Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in northern Iowa located where two major watersheds meet. The property spans over 3,000 acres of tallgrass prairie and wetland, with two main access areas for visitors to explore.

The refuge was founded in 1938 and protects a pre-glacial riverbed where ancient watercourses once converged. Its creation helped preserve these fragile landscapes from agricultural conversion and allowed native species to return.

The refuge serves as a nesting ground for trumpeter swans and protects rare plants like prairie bush-clover that are found nowhere else in the area. Visitors can observe the return of these large waterfowl, which had disappeared from the region for generations.

The refuge has two access areas: Buffalo Creek Bottoms is open year-round for hiking, while Schwob Marsh follows state hunting seasons. Visitors should check which section is accessible for their intended visit period.

The flat landscape creates an unusual hydrological system where wind direction influences water flow through the wetlands. This rare combination of shallow waters and wind-driven drainage makes the site hydrologically distinctive.

Location: Kossuth County

Inception: 1938

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/union_slough

GPS coordinates: 43.28160,-94.11500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:04