National wildlife refuge

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is a 1,238-acre national wildlife refuge in Clayton County, Iowa run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. Hours: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge map

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

This unit's own agency alerts list no fire restriction as of Oct. 5, 2026. We do not check a statewide fire-order feed for IA, so that is not a statement that no order exists, and not a green light for a fire. Check with the land manager and your county before you light anything.

Common questions

Hours at Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
No. There is no entrance fee at Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
Yes. Fishing is allowed on Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license.
No. Dogs are not allowed on Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

There is no entrance fee at Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: photography, hiking, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, birding.

Source: fws.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Wildlife

  • BirdMigratory birds
  • InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species

Source: fws.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.

Source: fws.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license.

Source: fws.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Pets

Dogs are not allowed on Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.

Source: fws.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Farmersburg, 0.9 miles

Source: www2.census.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Public lands next to Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.