Surging glacial meltwaters carved deep into soft glacial drift to form the middle Little Sioux River valley. Today, steep, unplowed prairie-cloaked hills flank this meandering river and forested and farmed valley. Glacial Trail Scenic Byway showcases this unique landscape. Nature, scenery, archaeology, and history intersect in the Glacial Trail Byway corridor, creating a compelling experience for byway travelers. This 36-mile corridor encompasses a landscape like no other in the region.
While you can drive the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway in less than one hour, there is a multitude of places to stop on or near the byway. Here is a list of six bucket list things to do on the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway.
1. Paddle the Inkpaduta Canoe Trail
The Inkpaduta Canoe Trail on the Little Sioux River runs from Spencer in Clay County to Smithland in southern Woodbury County. This span of river is approximately 134 miles in length.
The Cherokee County Conservation Board maintains 12 river access areas from the northern county border to the southern. These various access points permit paddlers to experience a relaxing 1-4 hour float or to escape for a camping and floating adventure over 3 or more days. Contact Cherokee County Conservation Board to rent canoes and kayaks. They rent a canoe/kayak trailer and all of the equipment for $200 per event. Trailer and equipment should be used within county or surrounding area. Individual canoes and kayaks are not available for rent. 2. Fish at Linn Grove Dam
Located in historic Linn Grove, Linn Grove Dam Area features a low-head dam on the Little Sioux River, making it one of the best fishing holes in Iowa. Four primitive campsites are located close to the river for great access and a bait shop that is open seasonally is located nearby.
3. See the bison at Prairie Heritage Center
The purpose of the Prairie Heritage Center is to provide environmental education as it relates to the prairie and the county, to preserve and protect our prairie heritage, and to encourage economic development with regards to recreation and historic exploration. Every season of the year is a great one on the prairie!
The Prairie Heritage Center opened its doors to the public on November 28, 2006. Over 100,000 people have visited the center since that time. They have come from all 50 states and over 26 foreign countries. It is a great place to enjoy educational and interactive displays, hike the trails, savor the wildflowers, and engage in bird and wildlife watching. Visit the Prairie Heritage Center and check out all the things to do! 4. Visit the Sanford Museum & Planetarium
Located in Cherokee, the Sanford Museum and Planetarium has exhibits and activities on a variety of subjects including: Archaeology, Art, Astronomy, Geology, History, Natural History, and Paleontology.
The museum was made possible through a trust fund established by the late Mr. & Mrs. W.A. Sanford of Cherokee, in memory of their only son, Tiel. It was their intention to create a charitable trust for historical, cultural and educational purposes that was to be free and open to the public. The facility was officially opened to the public in 1951. Since then, more than one million visitors have viewed exhibits, attended demonstrations, and taken part in a wide variety of activities. Sanford Museum & Planetarium 117 E Willow St. Cherokee, IA 51012 5. Birdwatching at Wanata Park
Wanata Park is a wonderfully quiet spot along the riparian habitat of the Little Sioux River just south of Peterson, Iowa. A great place for hiking and bird watching as well as other family recreation.
6. Find native wildflowers at Waterman Prairie
Waterman Prairie contains an abundance of unique native prairie habitat. Little Bluestem prairies are dotted with several colorful milkweed species, Pasqueflower, Prairie Moonwort, Purple Prairie Clover, Ground Plum, Prairie Blazing Star, Silky Aster, White Lady’s Slipper, and many native sedges. Oak savanna, one of Iowa’s most unique and threatened ecosystems, is characterized by prairie plants such as Side-oats Grama, Wild Indigo, and Prairie Phlox, interspersed with sprawling Bur Oaks.
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