Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Iowa
52

State of Iowa Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Iowa
Northwest Region
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge
start slideshow
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Taking Flight © Carl Nord
Trumpeter swan on liquid runway
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge A misunderstanding © Carl Nord
A pair of trumpeter swans, apparently in a serious territorial dispute
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Family outing © Carl Nord
Trumpeter swan family on a nice peaceful morning
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Pelicans and Ducks © Carl Nord
Peacefully sharing their territory
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Pelican in flight © Carl Nord
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Mink © Carl Nord
Yes, a mink will on occasion take to the water and have a swimmingly good time
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Majecstic Trumpeter Swan © Carl Nord
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
UNION SLOUGH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
UNION SLOUGH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
1710 360th St.
Titonka, Iowa   50480
Email: park email button icon
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to provide a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The actual slough is all that remains of a pre-glacial riverbed, and its name is derived from the connection or "union" of two watersheds: the Blue Earth River of Minnesota and the East Fork of the Des Moines River. The terrain is nearly flat, allowing the flow of the water to be determined by the direction of the wind at times.

The refuge is on the eastern edge of the tallgrass prairie region of the Northern Great Plains. Common native range plants are bluestems, gramas, Indiangrass, coneflowers, butterfly milkweed, and leadplant, to name a few.

The refuge is a major producer of wood ducks, with approximately 2,500 produced annually, and also has been the site of several successful reintroductions of the trumpeter swan. This 3,334-acre refuge surrounded by a sea of corn and soybeans provides vital habitat for a variety of plants and animals.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trailyes


Location
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge is


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
write a review
Share On

Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Union Slough Refuge is roughly 2.5 hours southwest of Minneapolis and northwest of Des Moines. From Algona, take Highway 169 north to Bancroft; turn right (east) on county road A-42, and proceed six miles to the office at 1710 360th St. From Interstate 90; take the Blue Earth, MN, exit and follow Rt. 169 south into Iowa. At Lakota, follow P60 south to A42, then west 0.5 miles on A42 to the office.

state route ranger badge
Iowa
52

State of Iowa Parks

X