Nature & history abound in eastern Fremont County's Manti Park

Manti Park in eastern Fremont County is a hidden gem for history and nature enthusiasts. One of several parks managed by the City of Shenandoah, "Manti Park is a wooded park 41 acres in size located 1 mile south and 1 mile west of the intersection of State Highway 2 and 59. The Pottawattamie Indian Tribe originally inhabited this site. In 1852 forty Mormon families settled into the area and built the community known as Manti. Today the park is owned and maintained by the City of Shenandoah and is used for hiking, picnicking, bird watching, and many other outdoor activities."

The village of Manti once had as many as 500 residents. After the railroad was built through nearby Shenandoah, most of the townspeople relocated. Today there are few visible remnants of the community, but a cemetery is located in the southern part of the park. To learn more about the area's history, check out these links:

• Manti Park to honor the past, enjoy the present and preserve the future - The Valley News, 10/10/2008.
• Little Known History of Shenandoah--part 2 - Mike Peterson, KMA, 6/19/2018
• History of Fisher's Grove and Manti - IAGenWeb Project
• Greater Shenandoah Historical Society - History museum in downtown Shen has information about the Manti area.

In addition to this history, Manti Park offers hiking trail with interpretation about some of the native plants and ecology. Many birds call the woods home, as well as numerous mammals, reptiles, & more. Take a walk and see what flora & fauna you can find in the park!

Entrance to Manti Park hiking trails

Information about the oak-hickory forest that covers much of the park

Shagbark hickory trees at Manti

Bitternut hickory tree & information along a hiking trail at Manti

A "bee tree" with a hive inside

Phlox is one of the spring flowers you can find at Manti Park

Poison ivy can be found at Manti Park. Know how to identify & avoid it! Bug spray is also recommended to keep ticks & mosquitoes away

Manti Park is one of many amazing places to explore the great outdoors in southwest Iowa's Fremont County. Learn more about Golden Hills' Fremont County Outdoor Adventures here, and find tourism information for Fremont County at visitloesshills.org. 

**Note that as of May 2021, the bridge immediately north of the park is closed due to construction, so check before you go to make sure you can get there. If the bridge is out, you can access Manti Park from J40 from the west.**