Hitchcock Nature CenterHitchcock Nature Center has a 10-mile trail system that provides one-of-a-kind opportunities for hiking, trail running, birdwatching, snowshoeing, and backcountry camping. Trails network together so visitors can be creative to enjoy any length of hike they desire. Due to the rugged terrain of the Loess Hills, the trails vary from easy ridgeline walks to difficult climbs. Trail maps can be found at Fox Run Ridge, Badger Ridge, and Hohneke trailheads, or at the Loess Hills Lodge during gallery hours. Below are several GPX tracks that provide examples of different hikes at Hitchcock. Download them to your mobile device to follow while on the trails. Trail highlights include Badger Ridge, Wildwoods, Westridge, and Oak Avenue. It's difficult to create an easy loop at Hitchcock because at some point you will have to descend steeply into a valley or climb steeply onto a ridge. If you're looking for an easy family-friendly hike, do an out-and-back hike starting from the Badger Ridge or Fox Run Ridge trailheads in the parking lot below the Loess Hills Lodge. Another option is the ADA-accessible boardwalk that ends at Hawk Ridge.  Hitchcock Nature Center 
Manager: Pottawattamie Conservation Trails: 10-mile trail system Other users: None GPS: 41.41337, -95.85760 Camping: 10 backcountry hike-in sites that can be reserved online Amenities: Restrooms in the lodge available from 6am to 10pm Dogs: Yes, on leash Hunting: Pottawattamie Conservation’s Natural Areas Management program manages an annual deer hunt at Hitchcock Nature Center to maintain a healthy deer herd population in the area. This is a strictly managed hunt that varies from year to year and allows a limited number of hunters that must undergo training from park staff. Hitchcock Nature Center does not close during its strictly managed deer hunting season. The public is encouraged to stay informed of Hitchcock’s deer hunting season dates and make their own decision about coming out to visit us during that time. Hikers who do join us during hunting season are encouraged to wear bright-colored clothing and stay on trails, and the limited number of hunters are aware that hikers may be present.
Vincent Bluff State Preserve Vincent Bluff State Preserve (photo by Lance Brisbois) Vincent Bluff State Preserve is a cooperative venture between the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and the Loess Hills Preservation Society to preserve a unique urban prairie in the Loess Hills. The preserve is located in the heart of Council Bluffs. Today, Vincent Bluff Prairie Preserve stands as the only truly urban prairie preserve in the state of Iowa, and likewise, is a great example of Loess Hills prairie, oak savanna, and eastern deciduous forest ecosystems. A footpath begins at the shelter near the parking lot and climbs steeply to the top of the prairie ridge. The climb is short but strenuous. You can follow the GPX track below to hike a loop, or just wander along the ridge enjoying the views and native flora.
 Vincent Bluff State Preserve
Lewis & Clark Monument Park Lewis and Clark Monument Park Dedicated in 1936 to honor the Corps of Discovery, Lewis & Clark Monument Park has a small observation deck and two large commemorative stone markers, quarried from the Folsom Quarry in Vermont and created by sculptor Harry E. Stinson and architect George L. Horner. The images and text on the markers explain Lewis and Clark’s meeting with local Oto and Missouri Indians. (The actual site of the meeting took place on the west side of the Missouri about 10 miles north of Omaha near today’s Fort Calhoun, Nebraska.) The monument stands atop a ridge of the Loess Hills, which run along much of the western edge of Iowa. For this reason, mountain bikers enjoy the challenging route through the heavy woods of the park, hikers appreciate the nearby trails, and aerial enthusiasts love the panoramic view of planes landing at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield just across the Missouri. Trails Have Our Respect (THOR) maintains the mountain bike trails. text source: National Park Service  Lewis and Clark Monument Park Trail Map (source: THOR)
 Lewis and Clark Monument Loop (All Trails) Fairmount Park Fairmount Park (photo: Council Bluffs Fairmount Park Neighborhood Association) Fairmount Park (East Graham Ave and Park Entrance) hiking trails wind through the hills. At Fairmount Park, you'll also find a scenic overlook, a playground, a splash pad, a firepit, picnic shelters, and ample parking. Gibraltar Trailhead (9th Ave and High St) has picnic tables and direct access to the Fairmount Park hiking trails making it a great place to meet up with friends. Manager: City of Council Bluffs Trails: 5 miles of trails Other users: Mountain bikers GPS: 41.25397, -95.84459 Camping: No Amenities: Restrooms, shelters, water Dogs: Yes, on leash Hunting: No  Fairmount Park Lake Manawa State Park Lake Manawa State Park (photo by Chris Lind, Instagram @boipinoy) Lake Manawa State Park is known for boating and fishing, however, the park also provides ample opportunity for a hike, leisurely walk, or bike ride on a total of seven miles of paved trails. These trails connect to the trail system that runs throughout Council Bluffs including the Wabash Trace Trail and the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge. There are also eight miles of unpaved trails perfectly suited for mountain biking located on either side of the Missouri River access on the south side of the park. text source: Iowa DNR Manager: Iowa DNR (THOR manages the MTB trails) Trails: 3 miles of paved trails Other users: Bikes GPS: 41.19818, -95.84471 Camping: Yes Amenities: Restrooms, shelters, water Dogs: Yes, on leash Hunting: No  Lake Manawa State Park
The mountain bike trails along the Missouri River just south of Lake Manawa are also hiker-friendly. The area is right along the river, so whenever there is a flood the trails will likely be impassable and damaged. The trails are maintained by the THOR group.
Wabash Trace Nature Trail While it's mostly known as a bike trail, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail is another opportunity for hikers to explore Pottawattamie County. The northern terminus of the trail is located in Pottawattamie County on the very southern boundary of Council Bluffs. The level grade makes it a nice option for a leisurely out-and-back hike from the Iowa West Foundation Trailhead, especially in fall when the leaves are turning colors.
  Trailheads near Council Bluffs Arrowhead Park and Botna Bend ParkPottawattamie Conservation also manages Arrowhead Park and Botna Bend Park. While both parks are not on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, there are within reasonable driving distance; Arrowhead, near Neola, is 16 miles from the byway, while Botna Bend is 30 miles away in Hancock. Both have trails, among other amenities, and Botna even has a small herd of bison.
Hiking the Byways is a regular series by Golden Hills RC&D that features publicly accessible lands open to hiking on the three scenic byways in western Iowa that Golden Hills RC&D coordinates: Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway. Each Friday a blog post covers hiking areas in one county on one of the aforementioned byways. For questions about hiking on the byways, contact Seth Brooks (seth.brooks@goldenhillsrcd.org).
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