Cardinal Marsh is a 1,165-acre Iowa DNR Wildlife Area located 4 miles west of Ridgeway featuring diverse habitats including marshes, ponds, prairies, and woodlands accessible via multiple entry points and parking areas.

The site offers wide, flat, mowed trails suitable for hiking and paddling, with several access points including a popular parking lot off Madison Road with a trail winding through the ponds.

Note that Cardinal Marsh is a public hunting area, so visitors should be aware of hunting seasons and regulations; dogs are prohibited between March 15 and July 15 to protect ground-nesting birds.