Dewey's Pasture Complex State Refuges

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dewey's Pasture Complex is a state refuge located in Iowa, consisting of three different areas: Dewey's Pasture, Dewey's Island, and Dewey's Creek.


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Summary

The area is known for its diverse range of wildlife, including migratory birds, reptiles, and mammals.

There are several reasons to visit Dewey's Pasture Complex, including bird watching, hiking, and fishing. Visitors can explore the area's wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands, and may spot species such as bald eagles, great blue herons, and white-tailed deer.

One of the main points of interest in Dewey's Pasture Complex is the restored prairie, which has been carefully maintained to support native plants and wildlife. The area is also home to a historic barn, which has been restored and serves as a reminder of the region's agricultural past.

Interesting facts about Dewey's Pasture Complex include that it was once used as farmland, but was later turned into a refuge for wildlife. Additionally, the area is named after John Dewey, a local farmer who was instrumental in preserving the land and advocating for conservation.

The best time of year to visit Dewey's Pasture Complex is in the spring and fall, when migratory birds are passing through the area. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers different opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout the year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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