When 2026 started, I decided I’d revisit some places I hadn’t been to in a few years.That led to an up-close experience with bison at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday.For those who don’t know, there’s a free 5-mile drive to check out the animals in the 800-acre area near Prairie City. I wasn’t sure my friend, Kathleen, and I would see any bison, elk or other wildlife.But we did. We really did.At one point, 12-15 bison surrounded my car, licking the wheel wells in particular. I slowly pulled forward at one point, and one bison butted my car in response. We stayed put a while longer.Several other cars got the same attention.Please note: We did NOT get out of the vehicle per instructions listed on signs. We also did not feed the animals or honk the horn. Our bison adventure ended with a visit to the car wash to get rid of all the bison spit.From the archivesFrom 1996: Iowans get first glimpse of bison at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
PRAIRIE CITY, Iowa —
When 2026 started, I decided I’d revisit some places I hadn’t been to in a few years.
That led to an up-close experience with bison at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday.
For those who don’t know, there’s a free 5-mile drive to check out the animals in the 800-acre area near Prairie City. I wasn’t sure my friend, Kathleen, and I would see any bison, elk or other wildlife.
But we did. We really did.
At one point, 12-15 bison surrounded my car, licking the wheel wells in particular. I slowly pulled forward at one point, and one bison butted my car in response. We stayed put a while longer.
Several other cars got the same attention.
Please note: We did NOT get out of the vehicle per instructions listed on signs. We also did not feed the animals or honk the horn.
Our bison adventure ended with a visit to the car wash to get rid of all the bison spit.
From the archives
From 1996: Iowans get first glimpse of bison at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge