The Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge comprises over 8,373 acres, divided into four separate divisions: Big Timber, Louisa, Keithsburg, and Horseshoe Bend. Three divisions - Big Timber, Louisa, and Keithsburg - are located in the floodplain of the Mississippi River, while Horseshoe Bend is in the Iowa River floodplain. All divisions are within the famous Mississippi Flyway, one of the nation's most important migration routes. In fact, the primary refuge management objective is to provide waterfowl and migratory birds with food, water, and protection during the spring and fall migration.

Each refuge division has unique characteristics. The Louisa Division is the most intensively managed via water-level manipulation, controlled burning, grassland management, and tree planting activities. Big Timber is a forested backwater slough open to the Mississippi River. Keithsburg is a forested backwater slough leveed off from the Mississippi. The newest division, Horseshoe Bend, is being restored to native vegetation, including bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, and native prairie. It is open to floodwaters of the Iowa River.

The Iowa River Corridor is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the National Wildlife Refuge System. The corridor is approximately 10,000 acres of restored floodplain on the Iowa River between Tama and the Amana colonies. Designated areas are open to hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife observation and interpretation subject to State regulations.

Basic Directions

Customizable Directions