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Welcome to the Loess Hills of western Iowa!
The Loess Hills Hiking Guide highlights twenty locations where you can explore hiking opportunities within this globally unique landform. Eighteen of the locations have maintained hiking trails or fire breaks, while two have unmaintained but well-worn footpaths. The guide divides the seven Loess Hills counties into three regions: northern, central, and southern. Each region’s introductory page highlights an additional five recommended publicly accessible areas that hikers can explore. The maps in the 5" x 7" guide give an overview of the hiking trails at each location. For more detailed maps, scroll down to download 8.5" x 11" trail guides and georeferenced maps. The trails in this guide were mapped in the fall of 2025. Every effort was made to provide accurate and up-to-date information. If you find errors or updates are needed, please contact Golden Hills RC&D. |
Make a donation to Golden Hills to receive a copy of the trail guide
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To make a donation, visit our donation page. Then, email [email protected] with your mailing address and mention your donation. Golden Hills staff will notify you when the guide has been mailed. Your donation will support future projects that improve the quality of life in western Iowa. |
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Visit the following locations to receive a copy of the trail guide
* quantities limited
* one guide per person
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Hillview Recreation Area
25601 C60, Hinton, IA 51024 (712) 947-4270 Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center 4500 Sioux River Rd, Sioux City, IA 51109 (712) 258-0838 Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM * Sunday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM * May 1 to October 31 Brent S. Olson Memorial Visitor Center 206 Polk St, Pisgah, IA 51564 (712) 456-2924 Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM * Sunday, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM * May 1 to October 31 Willow Lake Nature Center 2725 Easton Trail, Woodbine, IA 51579 (712) 647-2785 Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM * Saturday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM * (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend) Hitchcock Nature Center 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542 (712) 545-3283 * Tuesday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM * Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM * Sunday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM * Spring to fall; check website for winter hours Pony Creek Nature Center 56235 Deacon Rd, Pacific Junction, IA 51561 (712) 527-9685 Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM * Saturday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM * Seasonal hours; contact Mills CCB to confirm Southern Loess Hills Welcome Center 2083 Crossroads Dr, Percival, IA 51648 Tuesday to Saturday, 10:oo AM to 4:00 PM Sunday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
Visit these locations to receive a copy of the Loess Hills Hiking Guide!
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Interactive map under construction!
Below, download the trail guide or georeferenced map for each location before you hit the trails.
View 360-degree imagery of the location's trails on Google Street View for trail conditions from fall 2025.
* not all locations have 360° imagery
* Click on a location's name to jump to its listing below.
* listed alphabetically
Blackburn State Park
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
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Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve
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Folsom Point Preserve
| Trail guide (PDF) |
Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Hillview Recreation Area
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Hitchcock Nature Center
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Loess Hills State Forest - Little Sioux Unit
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Loess Hills State Forest - Mondamin Unit
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Loess Hills State Forest - Pisgah Unit
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Loess Hills State Forest - Preparation Canyon Unit
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Old Town Conservation Area
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Pony Creek Park
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Preparation Canyon State Park
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Southwood Conservation Area
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Stone State Park
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Sylvan Runkel State Preserve
| Trail guide (PDF) |
Waubonsie State Park
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
West Oak Forest
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
Willow Lake Recreation Area
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Click icon to view trail imagery on Google Street View
