Union Slough Auto Tour Route Open from August 1st – September 21st

Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge announced the auto tour route will be open from
Saturday, August 1st through Monday, September 21st , 2026. Visitors are welcome to drive cars, trucks
and side-by-side UTVs on the tour route from sunrise to sunset during those dates. The auto tour route
begins at the refuge headquarters and takes visitors along a four and one-half mile drive of wetland, open
water, and prairie habitat.

Toward the beginning of the tour route, there is an observation platform with
two spotting scopes overlooking a large portion of the refuge. A variety of wildlife can be seen along the
tour route including trumpeter swan broods, duck broods, great blue herons, sandhill cranes, pelicans,
shorebirds, grassland birds, river otters and white-tailed deer. In addition, many wildflowers and warm-
season grasses are at peak bloom. Remember, wildlife is generally most active when temperatures are
cooler, therefore the best times to view wildlife are early morning and early evening.
Visitors of all ages are encouraged to come inside the headquarters building and check out our
interpretive displays! Indoor exhibits are open to the public Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 4:00pm.
Union Slough NWR is located 6 miles east of Bancroft on County Road A-42.

For further information, please call (515) 928-2523.
For more information on the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visit http://midwest.fws.gov.