Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge covers the banks of the Mississippi River for 261 miles and is the longest river refuge in the lower 48 states. She starts at the confluence of the Mississippi and Chippewa Rivers near Wabash Minnesota and ends near Rock Island, Illinois. The lands of this refuge are in four states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. The Mississippi was a free flowing river up until the 1930s when a series of locks and dams were constructed in by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Today the Corps still manage over hafl of the lands inside this refuge.  

Wildlife: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge helps protect the home of numerous wild animals including warblers, sparrows, tundra swans, vireos, ducks, woodpeckers, and many others. Please treat their home with respect. Refuge History: The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge owes it's existence to a group of concerned fisherman and hunters in the 1920 who were concerned about the draining of the region's marshes. They came together to form the Izaak Walton League of America and lobbied Congress to establish the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. On June 7, 1924 their wish was granted and Congress began authorizing land purchases within the floodplains of the Mississippi River.  

For the lover of the outdoors this refuge boasts awesome canoeing opportunities, numerous observation decks, and much more. Come on out and explore.