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The LoHi Trek is an annual multi-day hiking and camping excursion in western Iowa’s unique Loess Hills. This year, the Trek took place from October 17 through 20 in Mills and Fremont counties. The route included scenic gravel and dirt roads, state parks, and wildlife areas. . The idea for LoHi, which is short for Lo(ess) Hi(lls), started when Monona County resident Kelly Madigan hiked the length of Iowa's Loess Hills landform in 2020. Read about Kelly's journey and the previous LoHi Treks here. Trekkers arrived on the evening of Wednesday, October 16 to camp in Mills County. Due to a fairly large area without public lands, private landowner Anne Stoysich allowed the group to camp on her property. Prior to the Trek, several participants assisted with land stewardship and invasive species management on the Stoysich property as a token of appreciation. Each evening, the group received a briefing about the following day's route to help understand the route and logistics. During each leg of the journey, a lead hiker familiar with the route led the group, and many areas were marked with flagging tape. A 'sweep' at the end of the line made sure everyone made it through safely and picked up the flagging tape. Maps were given to trekkers prior to the event that could be viewed on mobile apps, and paper maps were also available. Trekkers were given information about Leave No Trace Principles and how to safely hike in the different areas, which included everything from well-maintained trails to public roadways to wildlife areas without designated trails. Hikers were checked in each morning and evening, and were encouraged to find at least one hiking buddy for safety. The group included a mix of previous trekkers and new ones. Throughout the event, participants stepped up to volunteer for a variety of needed tasks to assist the organizers.  Trekkers watch a moonrise over the prairie. Photo by Lance Brisbois. Thursday morning, after coffee from J’s Coffee and a light breakfast, the hike began. Participants were shuttled with support from Faith in Action and local volunteers to the west side of the Loess Hills along the Missouri River floodplain, where they immediately went up Raleigh Road, locally known as “Lake Hill Road.” This road includes an iconic, deep road cut with high walls of loess forming a canyon along the roadway.  Hikers starting up Lake Hill Road. photo by Lance Brisbois  Lake Hill Road. Photo by Lance Brisbois  Lake Hill Road. photo by Lance Brisbois  Entrance to Lake Hill Road. photo by Seth Brooks. The route then continued on gravel roads to the historic Waubonsie Church, where lunch was catered by Classic Cafe from Malvern.  Trekkers hiking a gravel road in Mills County. photo by Lance Brisbois.  Trekkers on a gravel road in Mills County. photos by Lance Brisbois.  Trekkers hiked part of the Waubonsie Loop of Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. photo by Seth Brooks Local resident Joyce Bolin gave a brief history of Waubonsie Church, which now only hosts two services per year (Christmas and Easter) and occasional weddings. Tara Mitchell with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation discussed the tribe’s history in the local area, and the church’s namesake, Chief Waubonsie, of the Potawatomie Tribe. Local landowner and camp host Anne Stoysich also discussed local history of the area.  Waubonsie Church. photo by Lance Brisbois  Joyce Bolin discusses the history of Waubonsie Church. photo by Lance Brisbois  Tara Mitchell, Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation, discusses local history to trekkers at Waubonsie Church. photo by Lance Brisbois Following lunch, trekkers passed through what locals call “Hastie Hollow,” another deep road cut through the Loess Hills on Pathfield Road.  Hastie Hollow. photo by Lance Brisbois  Hastie Hollow. photo by Lance Brisbois From there, they continued on gravel roads along the Waubonsie Loop of Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and nearly a mile through prairies and woods on private trails to their campsite on private land. Dinner was provided by Classic Cafe. Thursday's hike totaled about 9 miles.  Hikers emerge from Hastie Hollow. photo by Lance Brisbois  Trekkers on Waubonsie Loop of Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. photo by Lance Brisbois  Hiker on Waubonsie Loop of Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. photo by Lance Brisbois  Trekkers on privately owned trails in Mills County. photo by Lance Brisbois  Trekkers on private land in Mills County. photo by Lance Brisbois  Campsite in Mills County. photo by Lance Brisbois  Campsite in Mills County. photo by Lance Brisbois  Evening briefing at the campsite. photo by Lance Brisbois Friday morning, everyone packed up camp and drove south to Fremont County. There, they hiked a loop through Blackburn State Park and the adjacent Green Hollow Wildlife Management Area (WMA).  Green Hollow WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois  Green Hollow WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois  Green Hollow WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois Friday lunch was hosted at the Blackburn gazebo, again provided by Classic Cafe. Iowa DNR wildlife biologist Matt Dollison presented about the acquisition of Blackburn State Park, and his team's work with ecological restoration in southwest Iowa, including on several WMAs that the trekkers visited.  Lunch at Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Lunch at Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois Brilliant fall colors in the woods and prairies offered stunning views for the hikers back south through Blackburn State Park. Friday's route was about 5 miles.  Blackburn State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Blackburn State Park entrance. photo by Lance Brisbois After hiking, the group again drove south, where they camped at Waubonsie State Park and the nearby Eli Slusher WMA for Friday and Saturday evenings.  Trekkers caravan through rural Mills County. photo by Kelly Madigan Friday dinner was held at Wa-Shaw tee Lodge at Waubonsie, provided by the Hamburg Kiwanis and Hamburg Hometown Pride. Several trekkers presented poetry readings of their own poems. Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and coffee were provided by the Hamburg Community Schools’ Culinary Arts program, also hosted at Wa-Shawtee Lodge at Waubonsie S.P.  Dinner at Wa-Shawtee Lodge at Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois Saturday’s hike started on the northeast side of Waubonsie State Park and explored much of the equestrian area north of Highway 2.  Trekkers heading into Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois Hikers enjoyed a refreshing stop at Mincer Orchard for apples, cider, and other treats.  Hikers enjoying a stop at Mincer Orchard. photo by Lance Brisbois They then continued south through Waubonsie State Park, including the Valley Trail and scenic overlook, with lunch at the Overlook Shelter provided by Hamburg Culinary Arts.  Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois   Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois At lunch on Saturday, trekker and local artist Anna Stoysich discussed her experience with the Artist in Residence program she participated in at Waubonsie. Park Manager Matt Moles also discussed the benefits the program has provided the park.  Lunch at Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Local artist Anna Stoysich discussed the Waubonsie Artist in Residence program. photo by Lance Brisbois  Each trekker received a bandana with the route map. photo by Lance Brisbois  Group photo taken by drone. provided by Kyle Ranney After lunch on Saturday, the group hiked more of the trails at Waubonsie, including the iconic prairie bluffs of Sunset Ridge overlooking the Missouri River floodplain into Nebraska.  Sunset Ridge at Waubonsie S.P. Photo by Nick Hildenbrandt  Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  They then ventured into Eli Slusher WMA immediately to the south of Waubonsie S.P. Saturday's hike was nearly 9 miles.  Eli Slusher WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois  Eli Slusher WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois   Eli Slusher WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois  Eli Slusher WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois Dinner on Saturday evening included live music by Kelly McGovern and Brian Hull with Kelly Oh Brian band from Lincoln, NE, food from nearby Whiskey Springs, and desserts from Hamburg resident Angela Hullman.  Saturday dinner at Wa-Shawtee Lodge at Waubonsie State Park. photo by Lance Brisbois  Kelly Oh Brian playing live music during Saturday dinner. photo by Lance Brisbois Many trekkers were delighted to catch a faint glimpse of the Tsuchinshan-Atlas comet after sunset.  Comet sighting. photo by Lance Brisbois Sunday morning started along Bluff Road at Slusher WMA (where Saturday ended), then went west and south into Draper Bottoms WMA. This wildlife area includes floodplain wetlands, with a panoramic view of the Loess Hills to the east. Hikers had conversations about the geology and history of the area, including the importance of wetlands for wildlife habitat and flood reduction.   Draper Bottoms WMA. photo by Nick Hildenbrandt.  Draper Bottoms WMA. photo by Sharon Carson From Draper, trekkers headed into the town of Hamburg, where lunch was hosted by Old Hamburg High/Cornelius Orthodox Christian Retreat Center.  Trekkers entering Old Hamburg High for Sunday lunch. photo by Lance Brisbois  Lunch at Old Hamburg High. photo by Lance Brisbois Following lunch, the hike went through O.S. Wing WMA, the southernmost WMA in the Iowa Loess Hills. The area included prairies and woods, with epic views of Nishnabotna and Missouri river valleys.  O.S. Wing WMA photo by Lance Brisbois  O.S. Wing WMA. photo by Lance Brisbois  O.S. Wing WMA. photo by Sharon Carson  O.S. Wing WMA photo by Lance Brisbois  O.S. Wing WMA photo by Lance Brisbois The Trek ended just south of O.S. Wing at the Missouri State line, and the southern terminus of Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. The Sunday hike was around 7 miles.  Trekkers ending at the Missouri state line. photo by Lance Brisbois  Trekkers ending at the Missouri state line. photo by Lance Brisbois You can also find a firsthand account of the event in this post by Trekker Patrick Swanson.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s LoHi Trek a success, including:
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As you drive along Western Skies Scenic Byway, you may not realize how the road systems are laid out across the landscape. The system starts in 1785, decades before Iowa was a state. “The Land Ordinance of 1785 was passed by the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation. It laid out the process by which lands west of the Appalachian Mountains were to be surveyed and sold. The method of creating townships and sections within townships was used for all U.S. land after 1785” (Source: State Historical Society of Iowa). According to USGS, “The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is a way of subdividing and describing land in the United States. PLSS surveys, which are available for portions of land in 30 southern and western states, are made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The PLSS typically divides land into 6-mile-square townships. Townships are subdivided into 36 one-mile-square sections. Sections can be further subdivided into quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections, or irregular government lots.” As you drive east-west or north-south, you will typically cross a county gravel road every mile. There are some exceptions, however, such as when a river or other geologic feature creates a challenge to this grid, or where roads have been closed due to lack of local traffic. In some cases, the roads are still open but have become minimum-maintenance dirt roads. The Homestead Act of 1862 gave settlers 160 acres of land for free with the requirement that they farm the land for at least five years. This act used the PLSS with sections of 640 acres; quarter-sections of 160 acres, and “forties” of quarters of quarters. If you’ve ever heard the term “the back forty,” it’s a reference to this system! While a grid is easy to understand, it faces some challenges in the rolling topography of western Iowa. This “system has necessitated greater expenditures for such rural services as highways, telephone and power lines, mail delivery, and school-bus routes. In rough, dissected areas it has posed problems in the layout of transportation lines, and it has encouraged farmers to lay out their fields against the grain of the country, to the dismay of conservationists” (Source: John Fraser Hart, The Rural Landscape, p. 155). Imposing a grid of straight lines is difficult on a sphere, so “correction lines” were established within the PLSS grid. “A township line established every 24 miles north and south of the baseline as part of the U.S. Public Land Survey System and Canada's Dominion Land Survey. Surveyors created correction lines where they readjusted range lines to compensate for the convergence of meridians.” For a more detailed explanation of this system, check out this post.  Harrison County township & range map. Source: https://iagenweb.org/harrison/twp/rangemap.htm The county road system in each county is based on the mile-by-mile grid with numbered and named roads running perpendicular to each other:
 example of roads system in Audubon County. source: https://iowadot.gov/maps/msp/pdf/audubon-co.pdf At a higher level, the county highway system in Iowa has its own arrangement. The tier of counties where Western Skies lies includes east-west roads starting with the letter “F,” and north-south roads ranging from “K” in western Harrison County to “L” in most of Harrison County, “M” in Shelby County, “N” in Audubon and Guthrie counties, and “P” in eastern Guthrie County. If you are driving on F-16, for example, you can know that you are traveling on an east-west road.  Many people intuitively know that taking a walk in nature is beneficial, but significant research in recent years has confirmed this. Natural sights and sounds can reduce stress, improve mood, and improve overall mental health. One of the best summaries of some of these benefits is the 2015 paper “How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway” by Ming Kuo. These excerpts from Kuo discuss several ways nature improves health, with supplemental source links: “The sights and sounds of nature also have important physiological impacts. Window views and images of nature reduce sympathetic nervous activity and increase parasympathetic activity (e.g., Gladwell et al., 2012; Brown et al., 2013), restore attention (e.g., Berto, 2005), and promote healing from surgery (Ulrich, 1984). Sounds of nature played over headphones increase parasympathetic activation (Alvarsson et al., 2010). These sympathetic and parasympathetic effects drive the immune system’s behavior (Kenney and Ganta, 2014), with long-term health consequences. Didehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases after a forest walk (Li et al., 2011); DHEA has cardio protective, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic properties (Bjørnerem et al., 2004). Similarly, time in nature increases adiponectin (Li et al., 2011), which protects against atherosclerosis, among other things, and the immune system’s anti-cancer (so-called “Natural Killer,” or NK) cells and related factors. NK cells play important protective roles in cancer, viral infections, pregnancy, and other health outcomes (Orange and Ballas, 2006). Chronically elevated blood glucose carries multiple health risks, including blindness, nerve damage, and kidney failure (Sheetz and King, 2002). The powerful effects of a walk in a forest on blood glucose are particularly striking. Two 2-h forest walks on consecutive days increased the number and activity of anti-cancer NK cells by 50 and 56%, respectively, and activity remained significantly boosted even a month after returning to urban life — 23% higher than before the walks (Li, 2010). Moreover, extended time in a forest decreased inflammatory cytokines implicated in chronic disease by roughly one-half (Mao et al., 2012). Urban walks have no such effect.”  According to the American Psychological Association, “green spaces near schools promote cognitive development in children and green views near children’s homes promote self-control behaviors. Adults assigned to public housing units in neighborhoods with more green space showed better attentional functioning than those assigned to units with less access to natural environments. And experiments have found that being exposed to natural environments improves working memory, cognitive flexibility and attentional control.” APA also suggests that “children who lived in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of many psychiatric disorders later in life.” Additionally, “contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.” There’s even some evidence that time in nature can make people more cooperative and generous. Interactions with nature can positively influence behaviour, academic performance and social skills in children, something that could be reflected in school curricula (e.g., environmental experience components) and could have broader benefits, such as reducing bullying in schools. Another study found that “participants who listened to nature sounds like crickets chirping and waves crashing performed better on demanding cognitive tests than those who listened to urban sounds like traffic and the clatter of a busy café.” There is also consistent evidence from birth cohort studies that higher greenness during pregnancy is positively associated with birth weight.  Nature and Forest Therapy is a burgeoning activity across the world. “Forest therapy is based on forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice that has garnered attention for its ability to immerse people into their natural environment. It helps people take a deep breath and rediscover our true essence, to remember our purpose and how we can serve the world. By immersing ourselves in nature and engaging our senses, we can reap the many benefits of forest therapy such as improved immune function, cardiovascular and respiratory health, and reduced stress and depression.” “The results of studies performed on the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku show that forest environments could lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, increase parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity compared with city settings. The results of the physiological measurements suggest that Shinrin-yoku can aid in effectively relaxing the human body, and the psychological effects of forest areas have been correlated with the various physical environmental factors of forest. The studies of Shinrin-yoku provide valuable insights into the relationship between forests and human health. Incorporating nature into cities has long been known to provide health benefits of improved air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect. There’s even evidence that natural landscapes in cities can help reduce crime rates. “Comparing buildings with different levels of vegetation, those with high levels of vegetation recorded 52% fewer total crimes, 48% fewer property crimes, and 56% fewer violent crimes than buildings with low levels of vegetation. Even modest amounts of greenery were associated with lower crime rates.” “These results suggest that vegetation is indeed related to criminal activity across the city, and that vegetation abundance is associated with lower crime rates for assault, robbery, and burglary. The association of vegetation with crime rates for these offense types remains even after accounting for the relationship of socioeconomic indicators of disadvantage, including poverty and educational attainment.” Further, walks in forested, but not urban areas, reduce the levels of health risk factors, specifically inflammatory cytokines (Mao et al., 2012), and elevated blood glucose (Ohtsuka et al., 1998). Inflammatory cytokines are released by the immune system in response to threat, and have been implicated in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.  Tree-lined streets and small city parks can offer little bits of nature for urban residents. photo by Lance Brisbois One other factors contributing to nature’s healing properties are the smells and ions associated with nature. “Many plants give off phytoncides — antimicrobial volatile organic compounds — which reduce blood pressure, alter autonomic activity, and boost immune functioning, among other effects. The air in forested and mountainous areas, and near moving water, contains high concentrations of negative air ions, which reduce depression among other effects. These environments also contain mycobacterium vaccae, a microorganism that appears to boost immune functioning.” Being on or near water in nature also has many benefits, in what some call the “Blue Mind Theory.”  Sun exposure, with some basic safety precautions (avoid sunburn and don’t look directly at the sun!) generally has many health benefits too. Getting outdoors and seeing sunlight first thing in the morning is one of the best ways to regulate circadian rhythms and develop healthy sleep patterns. Vitamin D is created by sunlight on the skin, and food and supplement sources of vitamin D are not nearly as bioavailable. More than 40% of Americans are estimated to have a Vitamin D deficiency. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor activities were seen as much safer than indoor ones. Risks of spreading COVID and many other illnesses are significantly lower outdoors with fresh air and sunlight. Today, most people spend too much time indoors, inactive, and looking at blue-light screens. Air quality is often significantly worse indoors compared to outdoors, with volatile organic compounds, mold, and particulate matter from things like paint, carpet, plastics, and other materials. Simply opening windows and adding indoor plants can help improve indoor air quality. Another interesting affect of nature is the activity of viewing fractals. Fractals, or repeating patterns, are abundant in nature, such as in tree branches and snowflakes. Viewing fractals has been shown to reduce stress and help people heal more quickly.  examples of fractals in nature. Image source: https://medium.com/re-write/exploring-fractal-patterns-e161081f9723 Cardio and strength training can also be done outdoors combining the benefits of both. Instead of a treadmill, stationary bike, or stair-climbing machine, try hiking, biking, or jogging in a local park. Getting out in nature with friends and family can provide much-needed human connectedness and socialization in a culture of increasingly isolated and lonely individuals. Nature can also, on the other hand, provide people a way to get out and away from the stresses created by the hustle & bustle of modern life. Time in nature often provides us with a sense of awe. “The physiological experience of awe – goosebumps, dropped jaws, caught breath – is wonderful in itself, but research suggests that regularly feeling wonder can have a range of benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing as well as increasing our compassion, generosity and critical thinking ability.” With all of these benefits, it’s no surprise that some doctors are now prescribing time outdoors for a variety of physical & mental health ailments, including the Park Rx and Prescription Trails programs. On a broader scale, populations with easy access to nature tend to be healthier. Iowa is the most physically-altered (least natural) state. It is likely not a coincidence, then, that Iowa has some of the least-healthy counties in the U.S., and the second-highest cancer rate. Integrating nature back into the landscape of Iowa could help us become healthier, happier, and safer.  County health rankings for Iowa. Source: https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/iowa?year=2024 Other links & resources on this topic:
Many farms across Iowa are working to build healthy soils, improve water quality, and more through regenerative agricultural practices. Here are a few examples from farms we've visited recently. Hawkeye Buffalo & Cattle Ranch near Fredericksburg has about 30 bison, 20 hereford cattle, and some crop and hay ground. Bison were the original prairie grazers, with a population in the tens of millions–possibly 100 million or more! After colonization, however, their numbers dwindled to only a few hundred. Restoration efforts, including many privately-owned ranches like Hawkeye, have increased the bison population back to a few hundred thousand.  Cattle at Hawkeye Buffalo & Cattle Ranch. Photo by Lance Brisbois  Cattle at Hawkeye Buffalo & Cattle Ranch. Photo by Lance Brisbois Joia Food & Fiber Farm near Charles City is another regenerative Iowa farm implementing numerous innovative practices. Wendy Johnson’s grandparents owned the farm and Wendy moved back to run it. The achieved Organic certification in 2014 and have been adding more organic acres since then. The farm had been only corn and soy, but they have added oats into their rotation. They have also added pasture land, and incorporated polypay and ile-de-France sheep. Joia also has cattle that run through the paddocks after the sheep, and custom-graze some Hereford cows. Joia’s livestock are Certified Grass-fed and Animal Welfare Approved. They run about 100 chickens at a time as well. Joia is one of the first farms in Iowa growing kernza, a perennial grain with deep root systems. They have noticed much more birds and wildlife in the kernza fields compared to other surrounding crops. In addition to livestock, Joia has a micro orchard with chestnut, pawpaw, persimmon, & other tree crops, as well as a silvopasture of hardwood species. Their enhanced windbreak also includes plums, elderberry, serviceberry, and choke berries.  Farmer Wendy Johnson at Joia Food Farm. photo by Lance Brisbois  Enhanced windbreak at Joia Food Farm. Photo by Lance Brisbois Ancestral Farms recently moved from near Waverly to Clarke County, south of Des Moines. Owner Matt Hatala is redefining modern hog farming by rejecting the conventional use of confinement buildings, opting instead to raise pigs on pasture and in the woods. Ancestral Farms' commitment goes beyond simply returning pigs to their natural environment; they exclusively breed Heritage Old Line genetics, harkening back to an era when meat quality was paramount in the pork industry. This dedication, coupled with a diet supplemented only with non-GMO feed, results in pork with unparalleled taste and marbling, a quality rarely found in grocery stores or even most butcher shops. Looking ahead, Ancestral Farms plans to establish a silvopasture system next spring, enhancing the habitat not only for their hogs but also for the diverse wildlife that thrives on their farm.  Pigs at Ancestral Farms. photo by Lance Brisbois  Matt Hatala leading a farm tour at Ancestral Farms. photo by Lance Brisbois Hoksey Native Seeds is based in Jasper County and grows a wide variety of native grasses and forbs. They specialize in local ecotype species and custom-design mixes for their customers. Their customers include farmers and landowners who implement Conservation Reserve Program and hunting plots, as well as smaller-scale backyard gardeners, native lawns, and more. They also have a popular conservation podcast, the Prairie Farm Pod.  Field of butterfly milkweed at Hoksey Native Seed. photo by Lance Brisbois  Field of echinacea at Hoksey Native Seed. photo by Lance Brisbois Golden Hills is working with farmers in southwest Iowa to implement regenerative practices through our Historically Underserved Farmer program. This includes innovative practices like some of those mentioned above, including diversifying crop and livestock systems. Learn more here.
Western Iowa has many places for the public to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. These include parks, trails, wildlife areas, lakes, rivers, and more. Ownership and management of these amenities vary widely, including federal, state, county, and city governments, to nonprofits and other private owners. This post aims to help clarify some of the differences. There are many exceptions to the ‘rules,’ however, so you can always contact the local site manager before visiting if you have questions. If you aren’t sure what activities are or are not allowed at a specific site, contact the land manager directly to make sure you’re following the rules. Iowa Department of Natural Resources is the state agency that manages state-owned conservation and recreation lands. These include:
 Prairie Rose State Park in Shelby County. Owned and Managed by Iowa DNR. photo by Lance Brisbois
 Loess Hills Wildlife Area in Monona County. photo by Lance Brisbois State Preserves: Iowa’s state preserves “are dedicated for the permanent protection of significant natural and cultural features. Most are open to hiking and photography…Many preserves do not contain officially established trails, but an informal footpath often leads from the parking lot toward prominent features.  Dinsen Prairie State Preserve in Shelby County. photo by Lance Brisbois
 Little Sioux Unit of Loess HIlls State Forest in Harrison County. photo by Lance Brisbois U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service:Desoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley is owned and managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Desoto has a daily entrance fee. By purchasing a yearly federal Duck Stamp, you can get into Desoto and all National Wildlife Refuges.  Waterfowl at Desoto NWR. photo by Carter Oliver County Conservation Boards: Iowa is unique in that each of our 99 counties has its own County Conservation Board, or CCB. Each CCB is allowed to have their own rules and regulations, so make sure you know which county you are in and learn their rules before visiting. They can vary within a county at different parks and wildlife areas–for example, hunting, camping, and dogs may be allowed in one county park but not another.  Hitchcock Nature Center. photo by Lance Brisbois Cities: Similar to county conservation boards, each city and different parks within the same city may have different rules. Many smaller parks, especially in small towns, are geared towards family-friendly activities like picnicking, and have recreational fields and courts for more organized sports.  Fairmount Park, owned & maintained by the City of Council Bluffs. photo by Lance Brisbois Land Trusts & Nonprofits: Several nonprofit organizations and land conservancies own and preserve wild lands in Iowa. Not all of these, however, are open to the public.
 Folsom Point Preserve in Mills County, owned & managed by The Nature Conservancy. photo by Lance Brisbois  Whiterock Conservancy in Guthrie County, a privately-owned land conservancy with public access. photo by Lance Brisbois Bike/Recreational Trails - Some trails in western Iowa are owned and managed by nonprofit organizations, and each trail has their own rules. Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, for example, maintains the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. Other trails are managed by their respective city.  Wabash Trace Nature Trail, maintained by Southwest Iowa Nature Trails. photo by Lance Brisbois Army Corps of Engineers: The US Army Corps of Engineers owns some land along the Missouri River. Public access varies. In other parts of Iowa and other states, the Corps owns and manages campgrounds and trails. Iowa Habitat & Access Program:
 Privately-owned IHAP ground in Harrison County with public hunting access. photo by Lance Brisbois Public waters
 Other private landowners
Most of Iowa’s land is privately owned. Many Iowans have land that they use primarily for recreation, including hunting, hiking, and fishing. These private lands are only accessible with landowner permission. Many landowners are receptive to friends and family using their land, but never try recreating on land unless you are certain that it is open to the public or you have explicit permission from the private landowner. Leave No Trace: Always recreate responsibly outdoors. This includes leaving public lands and waters better than you found them. If you notice that your activity is damaging a trail, stop and come back another day. Learn about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles here. 
East Nishnabotna River (photo by Seth Brooks)
Cold Springs Park, a 104-acre park managed by Cass County Conservation, is a long-time favorite of area residents. The park is one mile south of Lewis. A large camping area and a 16-acre lake provide numerous recreational opportunities, including fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Once you reach the East Nishnabotna, there are several ways to the river. The footpath on the north of the loop at the end of the trail leads to an access point requiring a short scramble down to the river. There is another access that leads to a sandy area. If water is low, you can also access the rock shelf from here. If water is high, however, you will need to scramble down the aforementioned path to reach the rock shelf.
The area is a popular destination for family picnics and swimming during the summer, but it has dangerous currents and deep water. There are some spots in the river that are thirty to forty feet deep. Additionally, the currents can create a whirlpool effect that can be dangerous even for very good swimmers. Unfortunately, several people have drowned over the years despite warnings. If you recreate at the Rock Cut, please take the warnings seriously.
Fishing at the Nishnabotna Rock Cut
Fishing at the Nishnabotna Rock Cut
Map via AllTrails. Note the trailhead's location in relation to the park's main entrance.
Check out the Summer 2024 newsletter for the East & West Nishnabotna River watershed below, or download a pdf here!    Our mission at Golden Hills RC&D is to collaboratively develop and lead community, conservation, and cultural initiatives to improve our quality of life in rural western Iowa. Our "official" territory from our original organizational bylaws is an eight-county region in the southwestern portion of Iowa (Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby). In 2023, we added four more counties (Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, and Monona). Several projects extend beyond these 12 counties into more than 20 counties (learn more about where we work).  Our goals are to develop industries in local communities that utilize local resources; ensure healthy natural resources that meet the needs of agriculture, industry, private use, and recreational facilities; promote and enhance art, culture and historic resources in rural communities; collaborate with local governments and organizations on projects that benefit the environment; and work on projects that fill gaps in community services to benefit people of southwest Iowa. We accomplish these goals by focusing our work in five program areas: outdoor recreation and tourism, land stewardship, water resources, local foods, and arts and culture. Today's Mission Monday focus is Water Resources.  The West Nishnabotna River in Pottawattamie County has been designated as a water trail by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and is the only such water trail in Southwest Iowa. Golden Hills has been the West Nish Water Trail coordinator since 2010. Pottawattamie County Conservation Board helps manage the water trail and maintains river accesses at two county parks (Botna Bend and Old Town). The Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Water Trails program has provided funding and support since the beginning. Many water trails exist across Iowa. Visit the DNR's website to learn more. If you would like to experience the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail, check out the interactive Google map on this page or click here to download a pdf brochure. To learn more about the West Nish Water Trail, contact Lance Brisbois at [email protected] or 712-482-3029.      Artwork by Kurt Sloop Waubonsie State Park, Golden Hills RC&D and the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway are excited to announce the Waubonsie State Park Artist-in-Residence award for the 2024 June program! The Artist in Residence program was created to help reach a broader audience of park-goers, thus increasing the number of visitors and ultimately educating more people about the Loess Hills ecosystem. The artist will engage with the natural resources of the park through an artistic lens. Many quality applications were received from artists representing a wide array of disciplines. One artist was selected to fill one residency from June 14-28. The artist will use his time at Waubonsie to immerse themselves in the landscape as a source of inspiration and opportunity to intensely focus on their work. The artist receiving the residency award for the June program of the Waubonsie State Park Artist-in-Residence Program is Kurt Sloop, a native of southwest Iowa. Kurt Sloop, a versatile artist and dedicated art teacher, has spent over 20 years inspiring young minds in Tarkio, Missouri and Essex, Iowa. Growing up in Hamburg, Iowa, with Waubonsie State Park as his playground, Sloop's artistic journey has been shaped by his love for nature and his unique creativity. His art defies categorization, ranging from delicate colored pencil drawings of fall leaves to inventive Cosplay blasters. But his native art language is spoken in oil painting and drawing. Most of his artwork is displayed in hundreds of elementary students' homes across Northern Missouri and Southwest Iowa. Sloop's residency at Waubonsie State Park will highlight his passion for exploring new ideas, experimenting with different mediums, and bringing his unique perspective to life through his art.  Artwork by Kurt Sloop One of the region’s ecological and recreational treasures, Waubonsie State Park’s 2,000 acres in the Loess Hills of southwest Iowa feature prairies, savannas, and woodlands which are home to diverse flora and fauna, not to mention breathtaking vistas. Park manager Matt Moles worked with Golden Hills RC&D to develop and launch the project. While there have been other artist residency programs offered through the National Parks System and parks in other states, this was the first such program in one of Iowa’s state parks. The program is loosely modeled after similar regional residency programs. The artists will receive lodging in a studio cabin and a primitive studio space in the park at no cost for the duration of the residency. In return, artists are encouraged to deliver at least one public program and donate one piece of art to the park at the conclusion of their stay.   Click for a larger image Our mission at Golden Hills RC&D is to collaboratively develop and lead community, conservation, and cultural initiatives to improve our quality of life in rural western Iowa. Our "official" territory from our original organizational bylaws is an eight-county region in the southwestern portion of Iowa (Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby). In 2023, we added four more counties (Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, and Monona). Several projects extend beyond these 12 counties into more than 20 counties (learn more about where we work).  Click for a larger image Our goals are to develop industries in local communities that utilize local resources; ensure healthy natural resources that meet the needs of agriculture, industry, private use, and recreational facilities; promote and enhance art, culture and historic resources in rural communities; collaborate with local governments and organizations on projects that benefit the environment; and work on projects that fill gaps in community services to benefit people of southwest Iowa. We accomplish these goals by focusing our work in five program areas: outdoor recreation and tourism, land stewardship, water resources, local foods, and arts and culture. Today's Mission Monday focus is Local Foods.  Click for a larger image  Click for a larger image The 2024 farmers market season is here! We have updated our Southwest Iowa Farmers Market Guide to include new markets and updated dates, hours, and locations. The guide covers eight counties in southwest Iowa that are part of the Southwest Iowa Food and Farm Initiative (SWIFFI). New markets this year include the once monthly Crescent Farmers Market, Red Oak Market at Montgomery Hospital, and The Mill in Shenandoah. Additionally, 2024 sees the return of a farmers market in Sidney!  Click for a larger image In Southwest Iowa, farmers markets are vibrant hubs of community activity, where locals and visitors alike gather to celebrate the region's agricultural bounty. These markets, often nestled amidst picturesque rural landscapes, offer a delightful assortment of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and homemade treats. From crisp sweet corn to juicy tomatoes and fragrant herbs, the seasonal offerings showcase the rich diversity of Iowa's fertile lands. Visiting a farmers market in Southwest Iowa is more than just a shopping trip; it's an opportunity to connect directly with the hardworking farmers and producers who nurture the land. Conversations flow freely as shoppers chat with vendors about sustainable farming practices, heirloom varieties, and favorite recipes. There's a sense of camaraderie as everyone comes together to support local agriculture and savor the flavors of the season. Beyond the stalls of fruits and vegetables, Southwest Iowa farmers markets often feature live music, cooking demonstrations, and family-friendly activities, creating a festive atmosphere that's enjoyed by all ages. Whether you're stocking up on groceries for the week or simply soaking in the sights and sounds, a visit to one of these markets is sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the rural heritage and culinary treasures of Southwest Iowa.  |
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