Outdoor Recreation

There are hundreds of miles of trails, dozens of campgrounds from modern to primitive, popular biking trails, plentiful fishing holes, and more outdoor recreation possibilities in the Loess Hills.

This list of five fun outdoor activities, plus three more for the road, offer more than the usual hike in the Hills. At Preparation Canyon, however, you can hike in to ten primitive campsites. Crescent Hill is a great place to learn to ski, while Waubonsie has excellent equestrian trails and an equestrian campground. Broken Kettle offers some of the best birding in Iowa, while Lake Manawa is a boater's paradise.

Check out the list below, then plan your road trip on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway using the Explore the Byway page.

Camping at Preparation Canyon State Park

Photo: Golden Hills RC&D

Camp in one of ten hike-in camping sites, which are some of the only hike-in sites in the Iowa state park system.

The trailhead to the hike-in sites is located in the southeast corner of the park. There is a parking area, a covered bench, a rustic map of the park with campsite locations, and an interpretive kiosk.

The sites each have a table and fire ring, but no bathroom facilities. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis with self-registration in the east parking lot.

There are no restrooms or water pumps in the park, so plan and pack accordingly. The trails at the state park connect to the adjacent Loess Hills State Forest, allowing campers to explore more than 60 miles of trail on foot.

Skiing at Crescent Hill at Hitchcock

Photo: Golden Hills RC&D

Crescent Hill is a 106-acre property tucked away in Iowa's Loess Hills and is a part of Hitchcock Nature Center, a 1,500-acre nature preserve.

The ski area offers weeknight and weekend skiing and snowboarding on 10 trails ranging from easy to expert.

Skis and snowboards are available for rental online or in person. Online rental reservations are highly encouraged to secure your equipment, especially for special events such as Midnight Madness.

The ski and snowboard season generally runs from December through March with opening and closing dates being weather-dependent.

Birding at Broken Kettle Grasslands

Photo: Randy Benton (Google Maps)

This 3000-acre Nature Conservancy preserve, which hosts the largest remaining contiguous native prairie in the state, is critical for nesting grassland birds. Upland Sandpiper nests here and the area is also home to Western Kingbird.

The avifauna of Plymouth County and Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve reflects a western influence, albeit less pronounced today than in the past.

As recently as 2016, Iowa’s only population of breeding Black-billed Magpies occupied the preserve. The magpies are now presumed extirpated. Say's Phoebe and Spotted Towhee are also irregularly encountered.

The site is part of the Broken Kettle Grasslands Bird Conservation Area.

Horseback Riding at Waubonsie State Park

Photo: Waubonsie Saddle Club

As a site on the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail, Waubonsie State Park in southwest Iowa is known for its exceptional vistas of Iowa’s unique Loess Hills and the Nebraska plains.

Its extensive trail system offers something for the avid mountain biker, equestrians looking for a relaxing ride, or anyone eager to hike amongst the tranquil surroundings of the park’s ridgetop prairies and shaded woodland valleys.

Eight miles of multi-use trails wind through the northern regions of Waubonsie and are perfect for anyone in search of challenging hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding or snowmobiling opportunities.

With nearly 2,000 acres of recreational opportunity and quiet beauty, Waubonsie State Park is an Iowa gem waiting to be explored.

Boating at Lake Manawa State Park

Photo: Omaha World-Herald

Lake Manawa is one of western Iowa’s premier spots for boating, hiking or just relaxing outdoors. More than 1,500 acres surround the lake, originally constructed in 1881 after a Missouri River flood. It continues to be a major outdoor recreation center for thousands of visitors.

“Manawa” is a Native American term meaning peace and comfort, making it the perfect spot to read a book, have a picnic or enjoy the outdoors during your visit.

Boat on Lake Manawa or rent a paddle board, canoe or kayak to the Missouri River. Boat motors of any size are allowed, and boat ramps are located on the north, south and west sides of the lake. Sailing opportunities are offered by the Lake Manawa Sailing Association from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The modern beach facility is perfect for swimming or relaxing in the sun.