Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is a protected natural area in northeastern Iowa made up of separate units spread across more than 800 acres. The landscape features steep limestone cliffs, underground streams, and cool rocky slopes where cold air flows naturally through crevices in the ground.

The refuge was established in 1989 to protect land that escaped glacial coverage during the last ice age roughly 12,000 years ago. This untouched geology shaped a landscape that retains rare species and unusual environmental conditions today.

The refuge protects plants and animals found nowhere else in the region, shaping how conservationists view the land's value today. Walking through these areas, visitors encounter species that depend on the specific conditions this place offers.

The refuge includes three main units - Pine Creek, Fern Ridge, and Howard Creek - that are accessible year-round from sunrise to sunset. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the terrain has steep slopes and uneven surfaces that require careful footing.

The refuge contains rare cold-air slopes where underground air circulation keeps temperatures low throughout the year, creating a pocket of northern climate in Iowa. These unusual geological features allow species typically found much farther north to survive here.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1989

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

GPS coordinates: 42.68330,-91.12500

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:01