Bluff Country Elcome to W Elcome You’Ll Love the View from Here
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Northeast Iowa’s ELCOME TO ELCOME BLUFF COUNTRY W YOU’LL LOVE THE VIEW FROM HERE www.visitiowa.org Midwest Living named & Outdoor Recreation Resources Natural Pikes Peak (lower right) Natural Resources & one of the “Best Midwestern Free Attractions,” saying: Outdoor Recreation “Pikes Peak, on bluffs ortheast Iowa is often called in your kayak. Scope out North America’s overlooking the Iowa’s Bluff Country or the Little premier bird flyway, the Upper Mississippi Mississippi River, offers N Switzerland of Iowa. The bluffs, River Wildlife and Fish Refuge from the top great hiking with beautiful hills and valleys are full of Iowa’s most of a bluff, or discover an American Indian vistas, spring-fed streams extensive hardwood forests, native burial mound built in the shape and waterfalls, and large prairies, wetlands, cold water trout of a bear. Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Resources Natural timbered tracts.” streams and spectacular views. This region boasts small family farms, dairies Wade in a cold water stream and catch and more public land to explore than in native brook trout or relax back at camp — any other region of Iowa. next to a cozy campfire with a cup of hot cocoa. Whether you’re taking photos of To get the most out of your adventure, the fall foliage or a sunset on the prairie, be sure to enjoy the vistas along the way. watching your loved ones enjoy their Cruise the scenic byways on your motor- adventure or savoring your time away, cycle, the hills on your bike, or the rivers we know you’ll love the view from here! www.visitiowa.org www.visitiowa.org 4 5 Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Resources Natural Northeast Iowa’s Cold Water Trout Streams meandering Volga River with its steep bluffs Natural Areas to Explore www.iowadnr.gov/fish and wooded hillsides and take out at the end More than 75 streams have free public access of the day only two miles from where you Decorah Fish Hatchery and each provides four seasons of oppor- started! Look for frogs or go for a swim in 2321 Siewers Spring Rd., Decorah, 563-382-8324 tunities for anglers to catch rainbow, brown nearby Frog Hollow Lake. www.iowadnr.gov or native brook trout. Some of the streams This hatchery raises rainbow, brown, and are stocked by the Iowa DNR; dozens have Yellow River State Forest native brook trout, and is located next to natural reproduction. Fly fish in the early 729 State Forest Rd., Harpers Ferry, forested limestone bluffs and the second- morning light or have the kids drop a hook 563-586-2254 largest spring in Iowa. The trout are dispersed and line while you kick back and relax on the into some of the most pristine cold water www.iowadnr.gov bank but, be ready for action. These trout are This hardwood forest is the largest single trout streams in the Midwest. Located hungry all year long! along the Trout Run Trail, get a glimpse block of timber in Iowa. It is part of a National of the famous eagles nest as seen at Audubon Society designated “Important Bird Pikes Peak State Park www.raptorresource.org or watch for Area” — the highest designation of any of the eagles to swoop down and steal trout out 15316 Great River Rd., McGregor, 563-873-2341 sites along the Mississippi River. Enjoy bird Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Resources Natural www.iowadnr.gov Big Springs Fish Hatchery of the hatchery ponds. watching, canoeing, camping, hiking, fishing Pikes Peak State Park is located on the high- year-round or hunting in season. 16212 Big Springs Rd., Elkader, 563-245-2446 Effigy Mounds National Monument est bluff on the Mississippi River. Although it www.iowadnr.gov shares its name with a much higher peak in This trout hatchery is located next to the 151 Hwy 76, Harpers Ferry, 563-873-3491 Colorado, Lieutenant Pike encountered this Scenic Byways Turkey River at the base of the largest spring www.nps.gov/efmo Iowa’s only national monument, the Effigy dramatic Iowa view first! Stand at the top of www.iowadot.gov/iowasbyways in Iowa. Home to Iowa’s first and only “Kids Mounds is home to 210 known prehistoric the 500-foot Mississippi River bluff on Point Fishing Pond,” children can try their hand at Driftless Area Scenic Byway mounds within the border of the park, 31 Ann Overlook and imagine how Lieutenant fishing for rainbow trout. Discover how water This 100-mile byway winds of which are shaped in the likeness of bears Pike felt as he viewed the confluence of the is “the ultimate barometer for the condition all the way throughout Iowa’s Bluff Country, or birds. These burial mounds were built by Wisconsin River and the Mississippi River for of the land.” Admission is free and fishing zigzaging through terrain as varied as the Native Americans from 100 BC to 650 AD. the first time. Modern camping and park licenses and trout stamps can be purchased directions of the road. Travelers will pass The 2,526-acre park is divided into two units concessions are also available. on site. farmland, forests, valleys, and limestone by the Yellow River. Walking trails provide outcroppings near the Mississippi River areas. modest to extended routes. Children under Upper Mississippi River National Cardinal Marsh 16 free; admission fee for adults. Open year- Wildlife and Fish Refuge Iowa Great River Road Located 4 miles west of Ridgeway on A46, round. After you’ve enjoyed Effigy Mounds, 401 Business Hwy 18 N, McGregor, 563- 873-3423 Enjoy dramatic vistas of “Old Man River,” and 1 mile north on 345th Ave. visit Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve, north on www.fws.gov/midwest/UpperMississippiRiver while experiencing limestone bluffs and the www.iowadnr.gov the Great River Road, this three-acre prehistoric Touted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service legendary hospitality of Iowa river towns- Cardinal Marsh, an Iowa DNR wildlife area, cemetery (mound group) contains a cluster of as “an angler’s paradise, a waterfowl hunters people. includes 1,165 acres of woodland, upland, 30 conical mounds. dream and a birdwatchers bounty,” the and marsh habitat making this a premier refuge meanders through limestone bluffs River Bluffs Scenic Byway birding destination. Spring waterfowl viewing Hayden Prairie that are blanketed by hardwood forests. View breathtaking bluffs and wooded is excellent and with the change in seasons 4.9 miles W of Lime Springs on A23 The 240,000-acre refuge hosts the largest hilltops on this 106-mile loop byway. On this come migrating shorebirds and native marsh- www.iowadnr.gov concentration of eagle’s nests and blue heron roller-coaster road of northeast Iowa, watch land species. Truly a bird watcher’s paradise. Although Iowa has lost more than 99.9 per- cent of its prairie, this 242-acre gem continues rookeries. Catch a glimpse of frolicking river eagles as they soar free over the green pas- to provide a glimpse of what the vast expanse otters or marvel at the largest migration of tures or explore a secluded cave by a hillside Decorah City Parks System of the Midwest tall-grass prairie looked North American birds. Spend the day boating country stream. 563-382-4158 like before European settlers changed the or fishing for any freshwater fish you can www.visitiowa.org www.decorahia.org landscape. This is the largest black soil prairie imagine. Cassville Ferry Dunning Springs, Ice Cave, Twin Springs, in Iowa and is considered a National Natural IA Hwy 52/C9Y, Millville Malanaphy Springs, Phelps Park and Decorah Landmark. Volga River Recreational Area 608-725-5855, www.cassville.org Prairie are included in more than 500 miles of 10225 Ivy Rd., Fayette, 563-425-4161 Joining the states of Iowa and Wisconsin, Mount Hosmer City Park city parks. Decorah has more high quality park www.iowadnr.gov the Cassville Car Ferry also connects two Heading East on Hwy 9 (Main St.), turn left on acres per capita than any other community of This man-made natural area not only has Scenic Byways; the Great River Road and its size in the Midwest. Pick your pleasure 6th Street, Lansing www.visitiowa.org hunting, fishing and camping, it also has 25 the Iowa Great River Road. The ferry started This 104-acre park includes a bluff that rises and take off to enjoy dramatic overlooks of miles of trails available for hiking, cross-coun- in 1836 and has continued to traverse the 450 feet to provide a spectacular panoramic the Upper Iowa River, dip your toes in Iowa’s try skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding Mighty Mississippi ever since. view of 50 miles of the Mississippi River valley best-known waterfalls, trout fish, hike or and snowmobiling. Float for hours down the mountain bike! and Blackhawk Bridge in Lansing, Iowa. 6 7 Lansing and then hop on again just south of Breathtaking beauty and glorious displays McGregor and ride to Guttenberg. It provides of nature can be seen the entire length of Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Resources Natural opportunities for you to enjoy bluff top views the trail surprising the delighted recreational of the Mississippi or get up close and personal enthusiast with prairie grass, birds, flowers, with the river. animals, rolling farmland, and shaded woods. Prairie Farmer Trout Run Trail of Decorah Recreational Trail www.troutruntrail.com www.winneshiekwild. This 12-mile paved loop com trail encircles Decorah’s The Upper Iowa River, Photo by Randy Uhl Randy by Photo River, Iowa Upper The This 22-mile asphalt most scenic areas. The fam- trail travels the aban- ily friendly trail — com- doned Milwaukee Rail- plete with handicapped road line and rides the accessible fishing points, backbone of the Upper canoe access, and nationally Iowa River and Turkey recognized artwork — is River Watersheds.