Western Skies Scenic Byway Audubon County
Image: Tree in the Middle of the Road, rural Brayton. Photo by Lance Brisbois.
Overview
Through Audubon County, Western Skies Scenic Byway follows Highway 44 with a spur south through Kimballton to Elk Horn and on to Interstate 80.
Communities
Communities directly on the byway in Audubon County include:
Attractions
This is just a sampling of the recreational and cultural sites to visit in Audubon County. Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn about more attractions and amenities. Audubon County's tourism website is also a great resources to check out.
Green indicates outdoor recreational opportunities and orange are cultural, historic, and arts attractions.
Green indicates outdoor recreational opportunities and orange are cultural, historic, and arts attractions.
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Kimballton
Kimballton and Elk Horn (located 3 miles away in Shelby County) form the largest rural Danish settlement in the country.. These two small communities, collectively known as the “Danish Villages”, proudly celebrate their heritage. Kimballton features the Little Mermaid Statue and Hans Christian Andersen park, Audubon County Freedom Rock, and more cultural attractions. Website: http://www.danishvillages.com/ |
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T-Bone Trail
The T-Bone Recreation Trail runs 16 from the city of Audubon south through Hamlin, Exira, Brayton, and into Cass County. Eventually, the trail will go into Atlantic. The trail is hard surface making it great for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. Website: https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Audubon/Park/T-Bone-Recreational-Trail-Audubon-Trailhead.aspx |
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Nathaniel Hamlin Park
This museum & park tell the story of settlement of the area from 1850 to the present. The 2-story brick home has its original floor plan and 1800 sq.ft. of display space including: large kitchen & pantry, Victorian parlor, and bedrooms. Other room displays: quilt & sewing, military, children's play room, schools, churches, collections (beauty shop), hats & clothing, and the "Audubon" Room -- a collection of birds and animals.The park includes: one room schoolhouse, barns and antique farm machinery. That's not all -- the 10-acre park has live elk & windmill displays, and many picnic tables. Come and spend the day! Website: http://www.auduboncounty.com/directory/nathaniel-hamlin-park-museum.aspx?d=2 |
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John James Audubon Bird Walk
John James Audubon's bronze statue is in the center of a park surrounded by native plantings and a water feature showing him painting. Walk the bird walk and see over 200 bird mosaics inset in the brick sidewalks through downtown. Website: http://www.auduboncounty.com/tourism/attractions.aspx |
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Albert the Bull
Albert, the World's Largest Bull, is located in the city of Audubon. Website: http://www.auduboncounty.com/tourism/attractions.aspx |
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Plow in the Oak
An oak tree grew around a plow that was leaned up against it before the Civil War. The tree is now located in a roadside park on Highway 71. Website: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/12357 |
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Tree in the Middle of the Road
This tree started growing when a surveyor put a stick in the ground to mark the section lines. Now it's a full-grown cottonwood in the middle of a four-way intersection. Website: https://www.traveliowa.com/destination/tree-in-the-middle-of-the-road/12833/ |
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Littlefield Recreation Area
Popular county park with a lake for fishing, paddling and swimming. The park features a campground with 100 modern sites. Website: https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Audubon/Park/Littlefield-Recreation-Area.aspx |
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