Tallgrass Prairie Visit- Neal Smith NWR

A short drive from Des Moines, the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge is a great place to beat some cabin fever and learn about Iowa's prairie heritage.

Situated on over 5000 acres, it's home to several of Iowa's native ecosystems.  The park is home to several trails to explore the tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, and sedge meadow.

Tallgrass prairie once covered parts of 14 states in the Midwest, including about 85% of Iowa. Today, less than 0.1% of the original tallgrass prairie remains in Iowa. 

If the weather doesn't cooperate with your plans, you can drive the 5-mile auto tour through the bison and elk paddocks.  The Prairie Learning and Visitor Center contains an extensive exhibit area, bookstore and movie theater.  We really enjoyed Baxter Black's telling of the prairie fire poem.

 If you can't wait for a road trip, or the weather to warm up, enjoy this video-

In the Tallgrass from Erin Anfinson on Vimeo.

A short animated film about exploring the insect world hidden in an Iowa tallgrass prairie. Created as part of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site’s 2017 Artist-In-Residency program.

Animation: Erin Anfinson
Music: Clara Lorraine