De Soto, Nebraska 68023
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Official WebsiteThe inside of the oxbow lake is all in Nebraska. Seasonally parts of the loop road are closed, but access to the Bertrand excavation site, the Wildlife Overlook, and a few trails are open all year.
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DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Missouri River and borders both Iowa (outside oxbow) and Nebraska (inside oxbow). Within its 8,365 acres lies DeSoto Lake, an oxbow lake that used to be a bend in the Missouri River. The refuge contains bottomland forests, tall grass prairie and wetland habitats that are managed to mimic the natural Missouri River floodplain habitat to benefit a diversity of migratory birds that flock to the refuge each year in the spring and fall. The refuge also contains a piece of history within its borders, the Bertrand Steamboat. The Bertrand sunk on the bend of river that is now DeSoto Lake leaving behind the cargo and historic time pieces, amounting to almost 250,000 different artifacts housed within the walls of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is truly a place where wildlife meets history!
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is located 25 miles north of Omaha, Nebraska on Highway 30 between Missouri Valley, Iowa and Blair, Nebraska. From Omaha, take Interstate 29 north to U.S. Highway 30, Exit 75 at Missouri Valley, continue west on US Hwy 30 for five miles to the refuge entrance. Or take US Hwy 75 north to Hwy 30, going east five miles to the refuge entrance on DeSoto Avenue.
Restrooms on site
Wheelchair accessible trail
Entrance fee
Roadside viewing
Content from DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Official Website
Last updated November 16, 2023