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Recreation - Visitor Opportunities Refuge Entrance Fee Daily entrance fees are $3.00 per vehicle. Fees are collected at the visitor center or self-service fee stations at entrances. The refuge is a federal fee area and a valid entry permit is required to enter the refuge or travel on roads in the refuge. Other valid entrance permits include: The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge annual pass ($15.00), Federal Duck Stamp, and America the Beautiful Annual, Senior, Access, or Volunteer Pass. Entrance permits can be purchased at the visitor center. The charge for commercial vans and buses is $20 or $30 if 21 or more people are aboard. The refuge is open daily from a 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. Visitor Center Natural and Cultural Interpretive Exhibits. - The refuge visitor center provides cultural and natural history exhibits and refuge information. The center, built in 1981, provides a theater, sales area for interpretive and educational publications, viewing galleries overlooking DeSoto Lake, and artifacts excavated from the hull of the Steamboat Bertrand that sank here in 1865. Weekend wildlife films Saturday and Sunday at 12 noon, 1:30 and 2:45 p.m. Environmental Education and Interpretive Programs - Environmental Education is provided to 150 - 200 school groups each year at both on- and off-refuge sites. Emphasis has been placed on elementary age students, although all ages are represented, through and including college students. Open 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., daily. Closed All Federal Holidays. Hunting Hunting opportunities at DeSoto are carefully controlled. In recent years, however, the deer population has increased substantially, leading to habitat degradation and increased damage to neighboring croplands. In response, new hunts have been added to address this growing problem. There are both archery and gun hunts available. In addition, mentored youth hunts for ring-necked pheasants and youth and disabled hunts for wild turkeys are available. In 2005 an archery-only wild turkey hunt was initiated. Fishing DeSoto Lake has an excellent fishery for catfish, crappie, walleye and large-mouth bass. The lake also contains bluegill, carp and buffalo fish. A number of access points allow for bank fishing, and three separate boat launch facilities are available during the season (April 15 - Oct 14). Over the years a considerable number of fish habitat structures have been placed in the lake to enhance the fishery. Structures include tree piles, rock piles, and pallets. To protect the fragile lake shore from erosion due to wave action there is a no-wake policy in effect. Wildlife Drive 12 miles of paved & gravel road traverse the refuge along DeSoto Lake, woods, grasslands, freshwater ponds, and the Missouri River. When viewing wildlife it is best to remain in your vehicle so disturbance to wildlife will be minimal. Hiking Trails Bertrand Excavation Site and Trail Visit the pond where the hull of the 178 ft. steamboat Bertrand lies buried. Interpretive displays explain its excavation and the historic significance of the Missouri River steamboat era. This trail explores the old river channel, and takes the visitor through forest and marsh habitats. Cottonwood Trail A 3/4-mile trail through the woods allows for viewing the ecology of the riparian forest along the Missouri River. Grassland Trail A 3/4-mile trail through a restored grassland and adjacent woods allows for viewing grasslands being restored on the refuge. Wood Duck Pond Trail This 3/4-mile trail crosses Wood Duck Pond and leads through woods and along the grassland edge. Visitors may observe wildlife management practices demonstrated nearby. Missouri Meander Trail (Disabled Access) Adjacent to the DeSoto Visitor Center, this 1/5-mile paved trail provides wheelchair accessibility. By crossing a footbridge, a 7/8-mile trail meanders through woods and along DeSoto Lake. Photography/Photo Blind Program DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has 3 photo blinds available for public use and visitors may pick up a request form from the Visitor Center front desk or download a copy by clicking here: Photo Blind Request Commercial photography must be approved at least one month in advance and non-commercial photography should be submitted at least one week in advance. Mushroom Gathering Additional areas of the refuge are open to the public for mushroom picking during normal refuge hours from April 15 through May 31, when a profusion of morels usually emerge. Special Refuge Regulations These special regulations help protect resources and visitors at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. They are your responsibility. Vehicles Wildlife observation from vehicles encouraged. Vehicles are allowed on public roads and designated parking areas only. Fishing Anglers are welcome on DeSoto Lake. State and federal regulations apply. An Iowa or Nebraska license is
required. Some special regulations may be posted, in addition to the following regulations:
Boating Boat operation is permitted in accordance with state regulations, and the following special regulations:
Picnicking There are a number of picnic sites on the refuge. Trash receptacles are available, please don't litter. Prohibited Activities The following activities are Prohibited on DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge:
Camping DeSoto Refuge does not permit overnight camping. It is a daytime-use area only. But, immediately adjoining the refuge, on the south-east, is the Wilson Island State Recreation Area, an Iowa Department of Natural Resources facility. This 577-acre area can be accessed through the refuge, or directly over Route G12 from Interstate 29 at the Loveland exit. Secluded along the Missouri River in giant cottonwoods are spacious, shady campgrounds, hiking trails, and picnic spots. Hunting and fishing are permitted in their respective seasons. There are 140 campsites. A modern camp area offers showers, flush toilets, and all-electric campsites. The non-modern camping area offers 20 electric sites, and two sites for organized youth camping. Camping permits are obtained through self-registration at the campgrounds. Powerboaters will find a boat ramp, which provides excellent access to the Missouri.
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Last updated:
July 9, 2008
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