Visit
Nahant Marsh
Find us at:
4220 Wapello Ave.
Davenport, IA 52802
From Davenport, IA – Take Highway 22, south, turn left on Wapello Ave (last turn before the I-280 overpass). Follow Wapello Ave toward the river, Nahant Marsh will be on the left just before the railroad crossing.
From Rock Island IL – Take I-280 to Iowa to the Highway 22/Rockingham Road exit. Turn right onto Highway 22 and right onto Wapello Ave. Follow Wapello Ave toward the river, Nahant Marsh will be on the left just before the railroad crossing.
Call our main line at 563.336.3370 for general information or to be directed to our staff.
Email us anytime at nahant@nahantmarsh.org.
Education Center Hours
The Nahant Marsh Education Center is open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday- year-round.
From November 1-March 31 it is open from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays.
From April 1-October 30 it is open from 9 a.m.-to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
There is no fee to visit Nahant Marsh. Fees apply for naturalist-led programs like field trips, public programs, lectures, etc.
The Nahant Marsh Education Center is closed in observance of the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Fees
There is no fee to visit Nahant Marsh or the Education Center, but donations are always appreciated. Click here to give your gift online.
Preserve Hours
Trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. If the main gate is locked, trails are accessible from the front parking lot. Look for the opening in the fence near the kiosk.
Preserve Policies
Nahant Marsh preserve is one of the largest urban wetlands on the Upper Mississippi River. It is home to over 150 species of birds; more than 400 species of plants; and a wide variety of mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, including several rare and endangered species The trails, dock, and bird blind at Nahant Marsh allow you to experience different habitats including:
Wet prairie meadow
Mesic prairie
Sand prairie
Open water habitat
Floodplain forest
Vernal pond
Nahant Marsh Rules
• Preserve hours are sunrise to sunset.
• All pets must be on a leash and cleaned up after.
While you are here, we hope you enjoy the following activities:
• Picnicking in shelters
• Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing on trails
• Biking on paved surfaces
• Wildlife viewing and photography
For your safety and for the well-being of the organisms that live here, the following activities are prohibited:
• Collecting of plants, animals, or other substances
• Mushroom hunting
• Littering or dumping of debris
• Fishing or Hunting (fishing is permitted from the catwalk on Wapello Avenue only)
• Swimming or wading
• Boating, canoeing, or kayaking
• Unauthorized motor vehicles
• Alcoholic beverages
• Firearms, dangerous ordinance, fireworks, and air guns
• Open fires
• Camping
Thank you for your cooperation in protecting Nahant Marsh!
Nature Explorer Packs
Each kit contains guides, scavenger hunts and equipment to help explorers enjoy a self-guided adventure at Nahant Marsh
Kits are available Monday to Saturday from 9:00-2:00
A driver's license or ID is all you need to check out a kit!
Grab a passport, check out a kit and get a stamp. Check out all four kits and get an exclusive sticker!
Insect Catching Kit – Explore the Tiny World Around You!
Available for Checkout at the Nature Center
Curious about the tiny creatures buzzing, crawling, and flying around the trails? Check out our Insect Catching Kit and become an entomologist! This hands-on kit includes everything you need to safely observe insects up close and learn more about their fascinating behaviors and habitats.
Kit Includes:
- Bug net for gentle insect capture
- Bug houses for observation
- Identification guidebook
- Scavenger hunt to keep track of how many different types of insects you find
- Tips for safe, respectful insect handling and release
Perfect for families, kids, and curious explorers of all ages! Whether you're looking to identify butterflies, discover beetles, or marvel at a praying mantis, this kit makes it easy and fun to connect with the natural world.
Please return all items clean and in good condition. Insects should always be released safely back into their habitat after observation.
Nature Hike Kit – Discover More on the Trail!
Available for Checkout at the Nature Center
Ready to turn your walk in the woods into a full-on nature adventure? Borrow our Nature Hike Kit and explore the trails like a true naturalist! Designed for curious hikers of all ages, this kit includes tools and resources to help you observe, identify, and connect with the natural world around you.
Kit Includes:
- Trail map of the area
- Scavenger hunts to keep track of how many things you spot
- Nature ID guides (birds, plants, animal tracks, and more)
- Magnifying lens for a closer look at plants, insects, and textures
- Tips for safe, respectful hiking and Leave No Trace practices
Whether you’re spotting birds in the trees, identifying wildflowers, or tracking animal footprints, this kit adds a whole new layer to your hike.
Please return all items clean and complete. Let’s help protect our trails and wildlife for the next explorers!
Bird Hike Kit – Take Flight into the World of Birds!
Available for Checkout at the Nature Center
Bring your birdwatching adventure to life with our Bird Hike Kit! Whether you're a beginner birder or just curious about the songs and feathers along the trail, this kit has everything you need to spot, identify, and learn about local bird species.
Kit Includes:
- Lightweight binoculars for bird viewing
- Beginner field guide for identifying birds
- Scavenger hunts to help you spot different birds or bird activities
- Tips for birdwatching etiquette and how to blend in with nature
Perfect for solo hikers, families, and budding ornithologists of all ages. From chickadees to hawks, every bird has a story—this kit helps you notice the details and tune in to the natural symphony.
Please return all items clean and in working order. Remember to observe birds quietly and respectfully—our feathered friends thank you!
Water Bug Catching Kit – Explore the World Beneath the Surface!
Available for Checkout at the Nature Center
Dip into the fascinating world of freshwater life with our Water Bug Catching Kit! Exploring the water bugs that live in the marsh, this hands-on kit helps you safely catch and observe aquatic insects and other tiny water creatures up close.
Kit Includes:
- Fine-mesh dip net for gentle scooping
- Clear observation containers with lids
- Magnifying lens for viewing tiny details
- Aquatic insect ID guide
- Scavenger hunt to see how many different bugs you can find
- Tips for safe handling and proper release of critters
Discover dragonfly nymphs, water striders, diving beetles, and more! This kit is ideal for young scientists, families, or anyone curious about the creatures living just below the water’s surface.
Please return all items clean and dry. All water bugs and aquatic life should be released gently back where they were found.