Important Bird Area.
A huge complex (nearly 1500 acres) of native prairie--a State Preserve & National Natural Landmark surrounded by or linked to other state and federal public lands, all situated on rolling glacial moraine along the Little Sioux River, especially good for grassland birds.

In northwestern Dickinson Co. Take IA Hwy 9 west 3.5 miles from intersection with IA Hwy 86, then turn south on 170th Ave. and go 2 mi. south on gravel road to parking lot on west side of preserve. OR, from the west side of West Okoboji Lake, take A-22 west from Hwy. 86, 3.5 miles to 170th Ave. Go north on 170th a little more than 1.5 miles to the parking area on the right, after 180th St. (both streets and avenues are numbered in Dickinson).

Cayler Prairie is relatively pristine native prairie. Surrounding public lands formerly were pastured or cropped but now are naturally recovering as prairie or have been replanted to prairie grasses and forbs. Santee Prairie, a large federal area 1 mi. north of Cayler Prairie (but part of the complex) has many restored potholes wetlands and native prairie. This is a public hunting area.

Endangered and threatened species: Northern Harrier and Red-shouldered Hawk High conservation priority species: American Bittern, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Bobolink Cayler Prairie is one of Iowa's largest and best studied native prairies. Although the core area is 160 acres, recent purchases of land just to the north have effectively doubled the area of the grassland. Regular burning of the area has been effective in maintaining its diverse flora and associated fauna. Although relatively few species nest on the area, it typically supports breeding Dickcissel, Bobolink, Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, and several other species. Most years, a pair of Upland Sandpipers and Northern Harriers nest either on the site or on nearby grasslands. This is one of the best examples of native prairie in Iowa. Classes from nearby Lakeside Laboratory and also Peter Lowther of the Field Museum in Chicago have monitored bird populations on this site for several decades.

Go west out of Wahpeton on county road A22 for about 5 miles, then a sign will point you to the right. Turn right and go north for about 2 miles to the prairie.