Wadena is a city in Fayette County, Iowa, United States.

Its land-line phone and DSL internet service is provided by Windstream.

Wadena is located in a valley and other cellular phone providers have spotty coverage in town.

Wadena is remembered in Iowa for the Woodstock-like rock festival held on a nearby farm, August 1–3, 1970.

It also held a second rock-fest in late July 1995, which met with less success and notoriety than the original event.

Wadena is also known for its lighted cross, which is located on the hill south of town.

Wadena is one of the towns that make up the North Fayette Valley School System.

Grades 9-12 are located in West Union at the North Fayette Valley High School.

Grades 7-8 are located at the North Fayette Valley Middle School between Elgin and Clermont.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.74 square miles (1.92 km2), all land.

28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 98.77% White, 0.41% African American, and 0.82% from two or more races.

Wadena is a part of the North Fayette Valley Community School District.