Ring Slough Wildlife Management Area

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Parks

Iowa

Nearby: Sequoya Park Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ring Slough Wildlife Management Area is located in the state of Iowa and covers an area of over 1,000 acres.

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Summary

The area is known for its diverse wildlife population and birdwatching opportunities. It is a popular destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Some of the main points of interest in the area include the wetlands, prairies, and woodland habitats. Visitors can observe a wide range of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, beavers, and various bird species such as sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and great blue herons.

Interesting facts about the area include the presence of a rare plant species known as the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid. Additionally, Ring Slough is part of the Mississippi Flyway, a migration path for birds that extends from Canada to South America.

The best time to visit Ring Slough Wildlife Management Area is during the spring and fall when the bird migration is at its peak. However, the area is open year-round and offers different experiences throughout the year, such as snowshoeing in the winter.

In summary, Ring Slough Wildlife Management Area in Iowa is a beautiful destination with diverse wildlife and birdwatching opportunities. Visitors can enjoy wetlands, prairies, and woodland habitats, observe rare plant species, and experience different activities 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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