Water Trail Canoe Rental Camping Cultural History The 98-mile Turkey River Water Trail begins on the Gouldsburg Park 563.426.5740 Backbone State Park 563.924.2827 For generations the Turkey River, with its wooded Turkey River Waucoma Campground 563.776.7000 Big Spring Trout Hatchery 563.245.2446 Little Turkey River at Gouldsburg Park in Fayette Rollin’ River Canoe & Tube Rental (W. Union) 563.422.5531 or 563.380.3201 Bloody Run County Park 563.245.1516 bluffs, fertile lowlands and wild game populations County, merges with the larger Turkey River, and Volga River State Recreation Area (Fayette) 563.425.4161 Clayton Hills Campground 563.964.2236 has served as a cultural melting pot. Prehistoric Double J Tube and Canoe Rental (Clermont) 563.423.5144 or 563.426.5593 D & D Campground 563.928.6464 Water Trail flows southeast through Fayette & Clayton counties Skip-A-Way Resort (Clermont) 563.423.7338 or 563.380.0841 Deer Ridge Campground 563.774.2067 archeological sites of the Archaic and Woodland toward the Mississippi River. The water trail features Big Foot Canoe Rental (Monona) 563.539.4272 Deer Run Resort 563.245.3337 Tribes exist on the Turkey River Valley; with the Turkey River Canoe Rental (Elkader) 563.245.1559 or 800.250.2466 Dutton’s Cave Campground 563.426.5740 beautiful scenery and numerous historic landmarks. Echo Valley State Park - Jensen’s Trail 563.426.5740 most notable being a group of woodland mounds Elkader City Park Campground 563.245.2098 at Turkey River Mounds State Preserve above the Safety Frieden Park 563.245.1516 Gilbertson Conservation Education Area 563.426.5740 confluence of the Turkey and Mississippi Rivers. In Safety is essential when enjoying the Turkey River. Each person must have a wearable life jacket in the boat. Dress Goeken Park 563.425.3613 the 1700s, the French Fur Trade brought many of Gouldsburg Park 563.426.5740 properly for the trip by wearing sun block and sunglasses, comfortable fast drying clothing, a hat, and proper water Guttenberg RV Park 319.334.3802 the first Europeans to the area including people of shoes to guard your feet against rocks. While on the river, be sure to look ahead and avoid downed trees or large rocks J and J Hideaway 563.633.6795 Spanish and French decent. These settlers used the Joy Springs County Park 563.245.1516 in the river. Three dams exist on the Turkey River Water Trail. Their locations are clearly marked on the map. The Klock’s Island Park 563.425.4316 historic Native American tribes of the Ioway, Ho circulating current immediately below each dam is extremely dangerous. When you see a DAM sign be ready to Lakeside RV Park & Campgrounds 563.252.4151 Chunk, Sauk and Meskwaki to trade with. Little Bit of Country RV Park 563.933.2081 take out your canoe; DO NOT attempt to go over any dam. Littleport Campground 563.245.2536 Maynard City Park & Campground 563.637.2269 Geology Miner’s Creek Cabins & Campground 563.252.1838 Legend River Mile (Distance to Mississippi) Motor Mill Access 563.245.1516 The scenic beauty of the Turkey River can be credited to Oelwein City Park 563.283.5440 the geological land form it flows through: the Paleozoic Turkey River Water Trail Hiking, Biking, or Multi-use Trail Paradise Valley 563.873.9632 Pikes Peak State Park 563.873.2342 Plateau. This rugged landform contains four different River Valley Campground 563.379.3963 rock formations ranging from 300-530 million years Access #32 Skip-A-Way Park & Campground 800.728.1167 Motor Mill Access Turkey River Water Trail Access Public Land Spook Cave & Campground 563.873.2144 old. Along your route look for outcroppings of exposed Sweet Dreams Campground 563.928.7290 bedrock most frequently found in the sedimentary Twin Bridges County Park 563.427.5740 Dam Dam Camping Valley View Resort 319.393.4825 forms of limestone, dolomite, or sandstone. These rocks Pileated Woodpecker Map & Guide Volga River State Recreation Area 563.425.4161 are responsible for forming the picturesque cliffs, ledges, Volga U Campgrounds 563.767.3511 Volga River Access Point 0 5 mi Waucoma Campground 563.776.7000 and bluffs commonly encountered along the Turkey. Fish & Wildlife The Turkey River Valley provides varying MINNESOTA habitats for a diverse number of wildlife species. The valley is home to several raptor species including bald eagles and the less common red- Howard Winneshiek Allamakee shouldered hawks. During the summertime, be on the lookout for raptors soaring on warm air Chickasaw WISCONSIN thermals above the river. Great blue herons and belted kingfishers are often heard and seen Fayette Clayton by paddlers. On limestone outcroppings, Bremer five-lined skinks can be found foraging for crickets. The surrounding forests contain Black Hawk Buchanan Delaware Dubuque Map 1 deer, coyote and wild turkey, and beavers, muskrats and river otters can be seen swimming in the Turkey. www.northeastiowarcd.org/turkey The Turkey River supports a diverse fish population. A total of 74 species of fish have been documented in the Turkey River watershed. Primary game fish species are smallmouth bass, rock bass and walleye; with channel catfish only present downstream of the dam Map 2 at Elkader. Other game fish that are occasionally caught include Fayette Clayton northern pike, white bass and three species of trout. Nine different species Designed in Northeast Iowa. of suckers and seven 2010 Map 3 species of darters have been identified in the Turkey River. Several Guide Made Possible by: fish species such as channel catfish, Iowa DNR River Programs flathead catfish and www.iowadnr.gov/riverprograms/ sauger only occur Gary Siegwarth [Big Spring Hatchery] downstream of the Clayton County Conservation Board dam at Elkader. www.claytoncountyconservation.org This dam is high Brian Gibbs (Narrative), Tim Engelhardt Map 4 enough to block all upstream Fayette County Conservation Board movement of fish. www.fayettecountyconservationboard.blogspot.com Rod Marlatt
Larry A. Stone (Photography) www.larrystonesiowa.com Northeast Iowa RC&D Volga River www.northeastiowarcd.org Brad Crawford (Cartography, Publication Design) The Volga River, the largest tributary to the Turkey River, winds through Northeast Iowa beginning near the town of Maynard, and emptying into the Turkey River just west of Garber, Iowa. It is noted for its scenic bluffs on the lower reaches from Littleport to Garber, and its outstanding smallmouth bass fishing along most of its length. The river has good velocity, dropping three feet in less than 1400 feet of distance Every reasonable effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this publication. North- in the town of Volga alone, making it a great tubing river. The Volga is also a good canoe and kayak river east Iowa RC&D and its partners assume no liability or for most of the year, with put in and take out points along its length. This, coupled with campgrounds responsibility in the use, or misuse, of the map. located in several small towns along the Volga River, including the town of Volga, make it a destination Please e-mail corrections to: for adventurous river explorers looking to discover more of the Turkey River Watershed. [email protected] 9 8
CO T UN O T P ST. OLAF RY B65 R E G D 1 Mile D D U Gouldsburg[98]to Eldorado[86] Eldorado[86]to Clermont[64] Big Spring[47] to Elkader[39] R
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E Gouldsburg Park is a multi-use recreational area marking the official put-in and beginning of your water Venture downstream from Eldorado on this You will begin your journey at the largest spring R
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trail journey down the Turkey River. Here, Crane Creek merges with the Little Turkey River and flows particularly scenic stretch, you will encounter in Iowa: Big Spring. Here, the Iowa Department of BIG SPRING RD 210TH ST X16 peacefully downstream for 12.2 miles before merging with the main stem of the Turkey River at Eldorado. limestone bluffs and pine topped cliffs on your way Natural Resources rears trout to catchable size and Access #47 Big Spring Trout Hatchery Robert's Creek A shorter 7.7 mile day trip can be made by taking out at the Auburn access. As you begin your voyage, large past Huntzinger Canoe Access. Additional access stocks them into 19 Northeast Iowa fishable streams. 215TH ST FOR EST R
E D V native oak trees sprawl over the left side of the river setting the tone for a diverse and unaltered tree lined points located along the 109-mile River Bluffs Scenic From Big Springs it is an enjoyable 7.6 mile voyage A 3 D
O river corridor. Shortly after drifting under the first concrete bridge the river provides extraordinary scenery Byway include the Turkey River Canoe launch and down river to Elkader. About one mile downstream O Big Spring W 22 E 0TH 13
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D for several miles. Large limestone boulders covered in moss and ferns line the bank. Above you, hardwood the Tessmer Canoe access. Just upstream from the on the right bank, a large bald eagle nest can be seen A Hatchery E Access #46 G 222ND ST
L Frieden Park Access E forests claim the bluffs with the white bark of aspen trees lightly scattered in. Smallmouth bass and native City of Clermont, you will see warning signs as you on the top of a cottonwood tree. Eagles can be found A V sucker species can be seen darting upstream in the frequently crystal clear river. Surprisingly abundant approach the Clermont DAM. As your round the soaring on thermals above the bluffs as you paddle E freshwater mussel beds (clams) can also be seen in this stretch, an indicator of a healthy aquatic community. final bend before the dam, there will be a bluff on this stretch. Upon arriving in Elkader you will notice Robert's Creek Access
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Past the Auburn access the valley starts to widen. After joining the waters of the Turkey River you pass your right. You must portage, and takeout is on the large water tower, be prepared to portage on A
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under the Highway 150 bridge and an access can be found shortly after the bridge on the right. The 5.7 feet river-right at Clermont’s River Park. river-left. DO NOT pass the portage as the dam is E X28 D CH ARIO T R R per mile gradient of this stretch provides frequent riffles. located just downstream. Gradient: 3.9 feet/mile D o b 13 238TH ST e r KI C1X t NG s ST LUCAS R M R 300TH ST 1 Mile GE D A H ORAN J D C 128 O O r R G ee
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N T Clermont[64] to Elgin[59] Elgin[59] to Colonialism. After crossing under the Highway 13 O S D X3C ST C 1 R E GR L 28
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R W This 5 mile section of the Turkey River Water Trail meanders through one of the most popular segments bridge, all remnants of town are left behind. The river I RD
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Big Spring Trout Hatchery[47] M E CH stays reasonably straight until you paddle past a large ICKEN of the river. Users will encounter some white water, unequaled scenery, and one of the best fisheries on the RIDG This section of the Turkey River Water Trail passes E RD 13 river. Clermont is known as “Brick City” and is the home of many historical sites, including the Montauk spring fed stream called Robert’s Creek. Robert’s Motor through Gilbertson Park and enters Clayton County. Mill Access mansion. Those looking to camp can also enjoy the Skip-Away Campground and Resort. This private entity Creek provides a vital habitat for many spawning Chicken Ridge Scenic MOTOR This float of 11.9 miles features the meandering Overlook sports an RV park, restaurant and lounge, as well as tube and canoe rental. Clermont’s business district species of fish including smallmouth and redhorse. Access #32 295 Motor Mill Access nature of the river and a landscape of bluffs, timbered TH ST provides restaurants, a convenience store, as well as antique, gift, and art shops. Floating downstream from From the creek, the river meanders through the 295TH ST 30 D R
shorelines, and the serenity of nature. The visitor Y D
narrow valley with wooded bluffs. After floating X Clermont you will come to the Valley Canoe Access. This launch is in the center of an expansive valley R A
N Osborne Outdoor L E will likely encounter bald eagles, whitetail deer, and Riv X3C A E e G through a set of enjoyable riffles, historic Motor Mill ga r Education D known as the Shin Bone Valley, named as it is home to the sacred burial grounds of many generations of l R o R
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Native Americans. From the Valley Canoe Access, continue downstream to the Gilbertson Conservation I T
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Education Area at Elgin, Iowa. Elgin, known as the “Little Switzerland of Iowa”, is a beautiful city portraying E
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T the takeout will be on the river-left side. This section I its Swiss and Norwegian heritage. At Gilbertson Park you will find a plethora of activities and facilities. L These include modern and primitive camping facilities, restrooms, trails, the Gilbertson Nature Center, of the river has a total gradient of 3.4 feet per mile. historical museums, a petting zoo, and the internationally renowned Maize Maze. Motor Mill[32] to Garber[20] Montauk 1 Mile B56 State
Preserve D This remote 12.4 mile stretch may provide the best scenery of the Turkey River Water Trail. Your river retreat
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CLERMONT S O G D begins at the access just downriver from Motor Mill. Motor Mill operated from 1869 until 1883 when a large U
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L A narrow limestone bluff. The timbered ridges on both sides of the river rise high and close together giving this B60 Dam APPLE RD Access #64A B60 stretch a remote canyon feel. On this section of the river you will float past numerous scenic 150-foot vistas, Clermont Park Takeout Access #64B
Clermont Canoe Access abundant wildlife, and 100 year old native white pines growing from limestone rocks. After three miles,
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Access #62 the Elkport-Garber bridge, you curve left and the takeout is just past the next bridge on the river-left. This Valley Bridge Access E
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