Driftless revolves around the story of Nova Abbey, a park ranger working at one of the state parks in the United States. Set against the backdrop of 4th of July weekend, the film sees the state government shutting down the park due to a budget crisis. As a result, Nova is tasked with closing down the park and ensuring that nobody enters the premises.
As the day progresses, Nova encounters a diverse range of people who try to sneak into the park, including hikers, campers, and families. Despite her best efforts, some of them manage to make their way into the park, leading to unforeseen problems.
Meanwhile, tensions begin to rise among the park visitors due to perceived injustices and misunderstandings. Nova finds herself caught in the middle of these conflicts, having to navigate through the difficulties and dangers that come with her job.
But as the day comes to an end, Nova discovers that one person has been hiding in the park all along. This unexpected encounter leads her to question her role as a park ranger and the true meaning of her job. As she grapples with these deeper issues, Nova must find a way to keep the park safe and peaceful while also protecting the people within it.