Nature reserves in Iowa
Land set aside and kept that way — refuges, game lands and wilderness, each held by somebody who says so on the record.
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1,608 nature reserves are published in Iowa. The list below holds the 700 best-documented.
- Toolesboro Mounds State PreserveNational Register
- Wittrock Indian Village State PreserveNational Register
- Walnut Woods State Park
- Ledges State Park
- Pilot Mound State Forest
- Blackbird Bend Wildlife Management Area
- Cameron Woods State Preserve
- Mile Long Island Wildlife Management Area
- Green Hollow Wildlife Management Area
- Fossil & Prairie Park State Preserve
- Keg Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Dakota Bend Wildlife Management Area
- Sioux City State Prairie Preserve
- McPaul State Wildlife Management Area
- Coffman Wood Preserve
- Percival I-29 Wildlife Management Area
- Wimson Park
- Waubonsie State Park
- Sacajawea Park
- Forneys Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Bartlett State Wildlife Management Area
- Edgewater Park
- Baker Park
- Scott State Wildlife Management Area
- Bertram Reservation
- Plover Wildlife Area
- Maskunky Marsh
- Ben Martinson Wildlife Area
- Macbride Nature Recreation Area
- Colo Wetland WMA
- Four Mile Creek Greenbelt
- Mesquakie Park
- Folsom Point
- Rush Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Worth County Lake Park
- Thorpe Recreation Area
- Ringham Habitat Area
- Logan Wildlife Area
- Hayes Timber
- Baird Timber
- Rock Wildlife Area
- Ahart/Rudd Natural Resource Area
- Saylorville Lake Project
- Lake Odessa Wildlife Management Area
- IHAP Union 2
- Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
- Torkelson Pits Wildlife Area
- Macs Preserve
- Hurlburt Wildlife Area
- Iowa River Corridor WMA - Randolph Access
- Rhodes Timber
- Four Mile Creek Greenbelt
- Schultz Conservation Area
- Colo Bog
- Turkey Run Wildlife Area
- Williamson Pond Wildlife Management Area
- IHAP Clarke 6
- Old Town Conservation Area
- Cairo Woods Wildlife Area
- Cedar River Natural Resource Area
- Polk City Refuge
- Brookfield Wildlife Refuge
- Linden Township Cemetery
- Round Lake State Game Management Area
- Buck Creek Park
- Monroe County Wildlife Conservation Area
- Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Wood Duck Marsh Wildlife Protection Area
- Bauer Park
- Turkey Ridge Wildlife Management Area
- Zillman's Hickory Hills Recreation Area
- Langwood 4-H Reserve
- Arney Bend Wildlife Area
- Viola Wildlife Management Area
- Cedar Hills Park
- Seven Hills County Park
- Downing County Park
- West Salt Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Jason Smith Wildlife Management Area
- Round Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Nagle Wildlife Area
- IHAP Clarke 2
- Crellin Wildlife Refuge
- Roeman-Stetrichs Wildlife Management Area
- Parlina Pierce Wildlife Area
- Lindquist Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tyrone Wildlife Management Area;Tyrone State Game Management Area
- Ira Nichols Outdoor Classroom
- Duke Prairie
- South Bluff Nature Center
- IHAP Clarke 2
- IHAP - Jackson County 2
- Pilot Knob State Preserve
- Flinders Area
- Hoaglan Woods Recreation Area
- Winnebago Park
- Schilling Sanctuary
- Mile Hill Lake Park
- Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Roelf-Johnson Wildlife Management Area
- Oxbow Lake Area
- Hazelton Wildlife Area
- New Haven Potholes
- Simmons Timber Reserve
- Rock Creek Island State Preserve
- Rotary Wildlife Area
- Happy Acres
- Gambril Access
- Polk County Conservation Alleman
- Eagle Lake Wetland Complex
- Wilkinson Wildlife Area
- Hanging Bog State Preserve
- Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve
- IHAP Clarke 1
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Ackerson-Easterly Wildlife Area
- Goose Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Goodell Wildlife Management Area
- Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve
- Wakefield Woods
- Bradgate State Fishing Access
- Iverson Bottoms Wildlife Management Area
- Bald Eagle Refuge
- Schuldt Wildlife Preserve
- Belva Deer Recreation Area
- Rock Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Solon Prairie
- Deer Creek Wildlife Area
- Sherman Park
- Davis Wetland
- Joy Springs Wildlife Management Area
- Brushy Bayou Wildlife Area
- Kuehn Conservation Area
- Goodale Park
- Johnson Prairie
- Summit Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Oneota Little Sioux Access Park
- Barkley Memorial State Forest
- Hanover Wildlife Area
- Winterink Woods
- Sutton Lake Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Ranney Knob County Park
- Iowa Lake
- Nelson Paradise Wildlife Area
- Plymouth Pits Wildlife Area
- Sawmill Hollow Wildlife Area
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Mickey Fox Wildlife Area
- Brown's Woods
- Sedan Bottoms Wildlife Management Area
- Jensen Tract
- E18 Greenbelt Access
- Thelman Wildlife Area
- Burr Wildlife Area
- Munn Woods
- Cliffland Access
- Stephens Tract Wildlife Area
- Horton Township Cemetery Prairie Preserve
- Shagbark Hills
- Finn Pond Wildlife Area
- Gilbert James Wildlife Area
- Pin Oak County Park
- Clear Lake Rearing Ponds Wildlife Management Area
- Kleckner Wildlife Area
- Highway 92 Wildlife Area
- Prairie Creek Recreation Area
- Whiting Woods Recreation Area
- Lau Wildlife Area
- Mondamin Wildlife Area
- Polk Township Wildlife Area
- Round Prairie Park
- Pilot Grove State Preserve
- Furrow Access
- Grant Township Wildlife Area
- Mid-Prairie Park
- Hitchcock Park
- Elk Horn Creek Recreation Area
- Holst State Forest
- East Twin Lake Forest
- Williams Prairie Preserve
- Willow Slough State Game Management Area
- Good Neighbors Marsh Wildlife Protection Area
- Schrader Wildlife Management Area
- Rentz Memorial Woods State Preserve
- Hyde County Park
- New Wine Park
- Pine Creek County Wildlife Area
- Two Rivers Access
- Bob & Joell DeNeui Wilderness
- Pierce Creek Recreation Area
- Pine Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Pine Valley Nature Area
- Pilot Knob State Preserve
- Dutton Cave County Park
- Ambroson Recreation Area
- Tower Rock
- Turkey Creek Education Center
- Christiansen Forest Reserve
- South Twin Lake
- Cedar Bluffs Natural Area
- Green Pine Wildlife Area;Green Pines Wildlife Area
- Stone State Recreation Area
- Hobbs County Park
- Redtail Ridge Habitat Area
- Leo Grau Wildlife Area
- Judd Wildlife Area
- Livingston Timber Recreation Area
- Gray's Landing Wildlife Area
- Kevin J. Gahn Wildlife Refuge
- Cleghorn Wildlife Area
- Welter Recreation Area
- Fairview Area
- Lyle Retz Memorial County Park
- Turkey River Mounds State Preserve
- Grass Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Sharon Bluffs State Park
- Railroad Area
- Gun Club Corner
- Mather's Forest
- Dagel Unit - Otter Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Saylorville Lake Project
- Lakewood Corners Wildlife Area
- Troy Mills State Fish and Game Area
- Four Mile Creek Greenbelt
- Whitetail Woods Wildlife Area
- Broadhead Woods Wildlife Management Area
- Twin Bridges Park and Wildlife Area
- Colo Bog
- Jakway Forest County Park
- Timmons Wildlife Refuge
- McCoy School House
- Malanaphy Springs State Preserve
- Newell Catholic Cemetery
- Spring Creek Preserve
- Butler Timber Preserve Wildlife Area
- Groesbeck County Wildlife Area
- Colo Bog
- IHAP Clarke 2
- Kenny's Woods
- Hickory Grove County Park
- Woodford's Island
- Teal Basins Waterfowl Production Area
- Tubaugh Wildlife Management Area
- Tusha Wildlife Area
- Bowstring Wildlife Management Area
- Elm Grove Wildlife Area
- Eight Mile Pits Wildlife Management Area
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Carroll County Access
- Little Sioux Greenbelt
- Willow Creek Fen Wetland Area
- Lost Island Lake State Park
- West Twin Lake Refuge
- Harmon Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Ludwig County Park
- Saylorville Lake Project
- Jason Smith Wildlife Protection Area
- Lost Nation Public Hunting Area
- Leverton Timber
- Snyder Wildlife Management Area
- IHAP Clarke 4
- Crumbacher Wildlife Area
- Heise Wildlife Area
- Brownville Wildlife Area
- Bixby State Preserve
- Simmons Wildlife Management Area
- Noddleman Island Wildlife Management Area
- Phelps Park
- Belgum Grove
- Wickersham Forest Management Area
- Hanson Wildlife Area
- Lansing Big Lake
- Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Big Timber Division
- Otter Creek Nature Area
- Pinicon Alders Wildlife Area
- Strouth Wildlife Management Area
- Iowa Falls River Access
- Luckenbill Woods
- Hansen Wetland
- Chattahoochie County Park
- Iowa River Corridor WMA - Koszta Access
- Devil's Ridge Wildlife Management Area
- Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area
- Twin Elms
- Woodland Mounds State Preserve
- Pioneer Prairie Pothole Wildlife Area
- Klum Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Ferry Landing Recreation Area
- Valley Junction Park
- English River Wildlife Area
- Pecan Grove Reserve
- Mag Holland Access Area
- Patterson Recreation and Wildlife Area
- Nieman Wildlife Area
- Sand Lake
- Cross' Ford River Access
- Ransom Wildlife Management Area
- Seven Bridges Wildlife Area
- Big Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Myre Slough Wildlife Management Area
- Sac and Fox Overlook
- Bald Forty Preserve
- Ackley Creek Park
- Russ Wildlife Area
- Deception Hollow Wildlife Management Area
- Tom Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Van Laningham County Wildlife Area
- Shield Prairie Wildlife Management Area
- Strasser Woods State Preserve
- Dalton Pond WMA
- Iowa River Corridor WMA - Otter Creek Marsh
- Wilson Pit Wildlife Area
- Buck Run Creek Area
- Kindlespire Little Sioux Access
- Sand Springs Wildlife Area
- Foster Woods Park
- Wildcat Cave Wildlife Management Area
- Skunk River Greenbelt
- Lohr Wildlife Preserve
- Gerbigs Woods
- Seeley Creek Timber
- IHAP Clarke 5
- Lantz Wildlife Reserve
- Sportsman Recreation Area
- Snyder Farm
- Goeldner Woods County Park
- Smith Wildlife Area
- Pechman Creek Delta Conservation Area
- Kvale Tract
- Swalve Wildlife Management Area
- Sioux Dam Wildlife Area
- Fallen Rock State Preserve
- Gee-Hruska Wetland Area
- Little Storm Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Papke Wildlife AreaBuilt 2015
- D U Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Deerfield Wildlife Area
- Rock Creek Timber
- Chimney Rock Wildlife Management Area
- L.C. Strathman Recreation Area
- Nine Eagles State Park
- Goewey Prairie Cemetery Preserve
- Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park
- Bonair Shooting Range
- Badger Creek State Recreation Area
- Idlewild Wildlife Management Area
- Hoover Wildlife Area
- Eagle Flats Wildlife Management Area
- White Timber
- Calkin's Nature Area
- Wilson Woods
- Jenn Timber Park
- Munson Prairie
- Dickens Pit
- Boddy-Hunt Wildlife Area
- Ensign Hollow Wildlife Management Area
- IHAP Union 3
- Joachim Prairie
- Rock Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Eagle Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Litka Park
- McDonald Greenbelt
- Murray Wildlife Area
- Bur Oak Wildlife Area
- Hanson Wildlife Area
- Waterville Pines Park
- Eagle Ridge Park
- Plantation Wildlife Area
- Winnebago River Recreation Area
- Die Wehrmann Prairie
- Ruffcorn Wildlife Area
- Plum Creek Corner
- Scheueman Prairie
- Missouri Dale Wildlife Area
- Ames High Prairie State Preserve
- Vern and Wilmer Petersen Wildlife Management Area
- Steamboat Rock River Access
- Fairview Wildlife Area
- Zo-el Annett Woods State Area
- Mann Wilderness Area State Preserve
- Sherman School and Prairie
- Land of Two Waters
- Lake Keomah State Park
- Loof Wildlife Management Area
- Buena Vista Public User Area
- Homestead Ridge Area
- Fallen Rock Wildlife Area
- Iowa Habitat and Access Program Lucas 2
- Stimes Forest County Park
- Alden River Access
- West Nodaway Wildlife Area
- McCausland Wildlife Area
- Hunt Woods Park
- Scott County Park
- Bolstad Wildlife Area
- Riverton Wildlife Management Area
- Kuhn Wildlife Area
- Troublesome Creek Wildlife Area
- West Twin Picnic Area
- Holliday Creek Area Park
- Fox Forest County Recreation Area
- Van Buren Wildlife Area
- Florence Recreation Area
- Tiernan Homestead Natural Area
- Moravia Recreation Area
- O S Wing Wildlife Management Area
- O'Mara Newport Woods
- Ray Thomas Wildlife Preserve
- MIller-McGrath Wildlife Area
- Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Sturchler Pit Area
- Hardin City Woodland State Preserve
- Big Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Cone Marsh State Wildlife Management Area
- Mossy Glen State Preserve
- Saint Benedict Wildlife Area
- Cambier River Bend Area
- Marshall County Forest Reserve
- Three Water Wildlife Area
- Cowan Wildlife Area
- Bluffton Fir Stand State Preserve
- Wild Goose Marsh
- Chichaqua Valley Trail
- McIntosh Woods State Park
- Mullen Wildlife Area
- Basswood County Recreation Area
- Liska-Stanek Prairie
- French Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Rosenow Timber Recreation Area
- Justen Wildlife Area
- Lake Iowa Park
- Sibley Unit - Otter Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Weldon Wildlife Area
- Joinerville Park
- Cedar Valley Park
- Carlson Recreation Area
- Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Sheeder Prairie State Preserve
- Knapp Prairie
- Haynie Slough
- Deer Creek Area
- Dieken Wildlife Area
- Randolph Access Wildlife Management Area
- Yager Slough WPA
- Schmerse Wildlife Area
- Schroeder, Herman and Hilda Preserve
- Eldon Wildlife Management Area
- Bob Pyle Marsh WMA
- Iowa Habitat and Access Program Ringgold
- Elk Lake Wetland Complex
- O'Day Wetland Area
- Nassau Wildlife Area
- Roman Wildlife Area
- Storre Wildlife Management Area
- Long Refuge
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area
- Myre Slough Wildlife Protection Area
- Iowa Habitat and Access Program Ringgold
- Girl Scout Area
- Ciha Fen Preserve
- Iowa River Natural Wildlife Area
- Johnson Pit
- Lake Darling State Park
- McNeese Wildlife Area
- May City Wildlife Management Area
- Dugout Creek Wildlife Management Area
- State Forest Nursery
- Cedar Block Wildlife Area
- Lizard Creek State Recreation Area
- Oswalt Bridge Area
- Crystal Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Wapsi Junction Park
- Pilot Knob Wildlife Protection Area
- Decatur State Wildlife Area
- Eagle Lake Wildlife Protection Area
- Jacob Krumm East Access
- State Line Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Meredith Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Sand Lake
- Chimney Rock Park
- Prairie Lakes
- Curtin Timber
- Simmons Timber Reserve
- Lakin Slough State Game Management Area
- Barnhart - Van Peenen Park
- Sutcliffe Woodland
- Nelson Wildlife Area
- Kaslow Prairie State Preserve
- Devine Wildlife Area
- Ketelsen Greenwing Marsh
- Reiff Park and Wildlife Area
- Merricks Pond Access Wildlife Area
- Gilbertson Conservation Education Area
- Falk Wildlife Area
- East Twin Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area
- Hobart Wildlife Area
- Little Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Silver Lake Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- McCormack Prairie
- Anderson Canoe Access
- Bob Hay Memorial Conservation Area
- NICC Outdoor Learning Lab
- Eagle Lake (Hancock) Wetland Complex
- McBreen Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Hubbard Prairie
- Pagel Flaming Prairie Park
- County Farm Park
- Heendah Hills Wildlife Managment Area
- Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Big Timber Division
- Stoltz Addition Park
- Bob Howe - Thunder Bridge Wildlife Refuge
- Pellet Memorial Woods State Preserve
- Eagle Lake Woodland Area
- Quam Wildlife Area
- Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area
- IHAP Clarke 8
- Myre Timber
- Crawford Pond Park
- Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve
- Ottosen Marsh State Game Management Area
- Howards Wood Recreation Area
- Johnson Wilderness Area
- Bluewing Marsh Nature Area
- Sylvan Hill
- Iowa River Corridor WMA - Otter Creek Marsh
- Otter Creek Wildlife Preserve
- Pool Wildlife Area
- Lansing Wildlife Management Area
- Dirk's Wildlife Management Area
- Union Grove Wildlife Management Area
- Thompson Roadside Prairie
- Fredericksburg Wildlife Area
- L.C. Strathman Recreation Area
- IHAP Clarke 7
- Harold Clark Habitat Area
- Prairie Smoke Wildlife Area - Central Unit
- McClelland Beach
- Eagle Flats Wildlife Protection Area
- Polk City Refuge
- Sheffield Wildlife Area
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Eagle City Addition
- Ringneck Wildlife Area
- Chequest Wildlife Area
- Brewster Area
- Three Elms County Park
- Sockum Ridge County Park
- Coyote Canyon Wildlife Area
- Wiemann Area
- Manti Memorial Park
- Watson Heritage Area
- Merritt Forest State Preserve
- Cedar Bluffs Recreation Area
- Brinton Timber
- McFarland Park
- Whitetail Ridge
- River Valley Wetland
- Skunk River Greenbelt
- Cottonwood Pits State Game Management Area
- Saylor Timber Area
- Pilot Knob Wildlife Management Area
- Bearbower Sand Prairie Area
- Pappy Dickens Preserve
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Bankston Park
- Peterson Pot Holes
- IHAP Clarke 3
- Rock Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Woodthrush State Park
- Rathbun Wildlife Management Area
- Bailey Wildlife Area
- Gruis Recreation Area
- Hickory Hills County Park
- Hale Wildlife Area
- Salt Creek Wildlife Area
- Manteno County Park
- Pleasant Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Hollingsworth Timber
- Laura and Skinny Schlesselman Wildlife Area
- Diamond Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Kilpeck Landing
- Big Rock City Park
- Cook Park
- Ringgold Wildlife Management Area
- Twelve Mile Lake (Union) Wildlife Management Area
- Rose Hill Marsh
- Averydale Access
- Vaile Wetland Nature Area
- Souhrada Forest Wildlife Area
- Gibson Recreation Area
- Nibeck Wildlife Preserve
- Pin Oak Marsh
- Wentland's Woods
- Deer Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Cardinal Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Boersma Wildlife Area
- Soap Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Haugen Timber County Park
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Trappers Bay State Park
- Wittenbreer Marsh
- Hanson Area
- Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve
- Three Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Indian Bluffs Wildelife Management Area
- Ioway Creek Stormwater Wetland
- Blackhawk Bottoms Wildlife Management Area
- Brush Creek Canyon State Preserve
- Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Wiese Slough State Game Management Area
- Bundt Prairie
- I-80 Wildlife Management Area
- Carroll Access Area
- West Bend Wildlife Area
- Eden Prairie Recreation Area
- Black Oak Hollow
- IHAP Clarke 4
- Diamond Lake Park
- Falcon Springs Wildlife Management Area
- Green Hill Ranch
- Grimes Farm and Conservation Center
- Rush Lake State Game Management Area
- Selma Wildlife Area
- Shellrock Wildlife Area
- Red Cedar Wildlife Area
- Setchell Area
- Turkey River Access
- Heery Woods State Park
- Zeisman Wildlife Area
- IHAP Clinton
- Trickle Slough Area
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- McGowen Recreation and Wildlife Area
- Fix Wildlife Area
- White Oak Conservation Area
- Ocheyedan Mound State Preserve
- Russell Wildlife Area
- Merlin Moe Park
- J.J. Lyons and Sons Wildlife Area
- Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area
- Tostenson Wildlife Area
- I-35 Prairie (Scenic View)
- Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Management Area
- Schwob Marsh State Game Management Area
- Camp Liberty
- Summit Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Talmage Hill Wildlife Area
- Superior Marsh Area
- Jerry Quinlan Wildlife Management Area
- Havelock Wildlife Area
- Lizard Lake Access
- Mockridge Wildlife Preserve
- Bowstring Wildlife Management Area
- Prairie Creek Wildlife Area
- Colyn State Wildlife Area
- Wright Timber Wildlife Area
- Stouffer Memorial Wildlife Refuge
- Ocheyedan Well Wildlife Area
- Mason Memorial Park
- Ludwig Reserve
- Bruegmann Wildlife Area
- Mac Coon County Park
- Santee Prairie
- Center Wildlife Area
- Horseshoe Bend County Recreation Area
- Broken Kettle Grassland Preserve
- Anderson Conservation Area
- Iowa Arboretum & Gardens
- Tjossem Park
- Wildcat Den State Park
- Winter Garden
- La Hart State Wildlife Management Area
- Allens Grove County Park
- Turvoid Woods County Park
- Charles F. Long Wildlife Woods
- Swanson Wildlife Area
- IHAP Clarke 7
- Cooper Prairie Marsh
- Marietta Sand Prairie State Preserve
- Chipera Prairie
- Pike Run Wildlife Area
- Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt - Swan Lake Unit
- Jerico Wildlife Area
- Wasmund Slough
- Meier Wildlife Refuge
- Daryl DeNeui Memorial Wilderness
- Anderson Wildlife Area
- MIller-McGrath Wildlife Area
- Stephen Wildlife Area
- McKnights Point Area
- Groom Area
- River Bend Wildlife Area
- Larson Lake County Park
- Brown's Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Harmon Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Indian Creek Wildlife Area
- Schlensig Wildlife Area