Union Slough Auto Tour Route Open May 8-17

Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge is pleased to announce the auto tour route will be open
from Friday, May 8th through Sunday, May 17th, 2026 in celebration of World Migratory Bird
Day. 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 including trumpeter swans, bald
eagles, great blue herons, ducks, geese, shorebirds, pelicans, songbirds, muskrats, white-tailed
deer and river otters may be seen on the Refuge. In addition, Sandhill cranes have been
commonly heard and seen along the tour route this spring. Remember that wildlife viewing
opportunities are generally best in early morning and early evening as that’s when wildlife is
most active.
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.