Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
Wapello, IA 52653-9477
Plan Your Visit
Directions to the Visitor Contact Station/Office
From U.S. Highway 61 just north of Wapello, Iowa, take County Road G56 east four miles. Turn right (south) at the stop sign onto County Road X61. The refuge office will be on your left (east) in one mile. Signs are in place to direct you from Highway 61.
Finding the Louisa Division
From the office, turn right (north) on county road X61 and go about two miles and follow the signs directing you to the Louisa Division by turning right (east) on 120th Street. Follow this road about one mile until you meet the refuge boundary.
Finding the Keithsburg Division
From Keithsburg, Illinois go half mile north on the Great River Road (76th Street) to reach the boat ramp. To reach the Spring Slough parking lot, continue north from the boat ramp for three miles. Turn left on 50th Street. Take the first left, and then the next right. Spring Slough parking lot will be on your left, just under one mile.
Finding Horseshoe Bend Division
From Wapello, take Hwy 99 east 1.5 miles to 114th Street. Turn right. Follow this winding gravel road 3.5 miles to F Avenue. Turn right. This road is a dead end with a parking lot.
Finding the Big Timber Division
From the refuge office, turn north on county road X61 and follow this 5.5 miles to the boat ramp for Big Timber. Turn right at the sign and follow the short road over the levee and into the boat ramp. This is the main access to the division.
Activities
More Activities
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love.
Services
About
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge spans 24,149 acres across Iowa and Illinois along the Mississippi River Flyway. Officially established as a separate refuge in 2004, it was originally part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and has been managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since the 1940s. The refuge encompasses four distinct divisions and the Iowa River Corridor Project, providing vital resting and feeding grounds for millions of migratory birds. Its mission focuses on the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and plant resources for present and future generations.