OverviewWelcome to Monona County, home to Wilderness Loop, Larpenteur Memorial Road Connection, and Preparation Loop, as well as Preparation Canyon State Park. Towns in Monona County on the byway include Rodney, Castana, Turin and Moorhead.
Attractions in Monona County include the Turin Man Archeological Site (where 6,000 year old human remains were found in 1955), Loess Hills State Forest, Loess Hills Wildlife Area, Turin Loess Hills State Preserve, and the Sylvan Runkel State Preserve. Further attractions can be found under the following sections of this site. |
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Directions
Enter Monona County from the north on County Road L12 from Smithland. About 5 miles after leaving Smithland, turn left (east) at 133rd St., which is also County Road E16, to cross the floodplain of the Little Sioux River and enter the Hills just east of the river.
After being on 133rd St. for just under 3 miles, turn right (south) onto County Road L20 to ramble through more Hills until you're east of them, going south to Castana, 8 miles later.
As you approach Castana, turn right (south) onto Iowa Highway 175 to follow the MapleRiver valley toward Turin.
When you meet Iowa Highway 37, 4.5 miles later, turn left (east) for 1.5 miles until you reach County Road L16.
At County Road L16, turn right (south) to drive County Road L16 until it joins County Road E54, about 7.5 miles later. In less than a mile, you will enter Moorhead.
In Moorhead, home of the Loess Hills Hospitality Association, you will see Iowa Highway 183. Turn right (southeast) to take that highway down the SoldierRiver valley to the county's southern border, 5 miles away.
After being on 133rd St. for just under 3 miles, turn right (south) onto County Road L20 to ramble through more Hills until you're east of them, going south to Castana, 8 miles later.
As you approach Castana, turn right (south) onto Iowa Highway 175 to follow the MapleRiver valley toward Turin.
When you meet Iowa Highway 37, 4.5 miles later, turn left (east) for 1.5 miles until you reach County Road L16.
At County Road L16, turn right (south) to drive County Road L16 until it joins County Road E54, about 7.5 miles later. In less than a mile, you will enter Moorhead.
In Moorhead, home of the Loess Hills Hospitality Association, you will see Iowa Highway 183. Turn right (southeast) to take that highway down the SoldierRiver valley to the county's southern border, 5 miles away.
Byway Communities
Notable Attractions
This list is not comprehensive. Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn more about attractions in Monona County.
Loess Hills Scenic OverlookAccessible viewpoint overlooking the state forest.
Photo: Kenneth West
Sophie's HollowClassic road cut, but don't drive if muddy!
Photo: Iowa Road Trip
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Ingemann Danish Lutheran ChurchBuilt in 1884 by Danish immigrants.
Photo: Kenneth West
South Jordan CemeteryUnique piece of Monona County history.
Photo: Seth Brooks
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Outdoor Recreation
This list is not comprehensive. Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn more about recreation in Monona County.
Loess Hills Prairie SeminarWeekend of free, hands-on educational sessions.
Photo: Seth Brooks
Preparation Canyon State ParkTen hike-in campsites and unique Mormon history.
Photo: Lance Brisbois
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Loess Hills State ForestExplore the 4,068-acre Preparation Canyon Unit.
Photo: Lance Brisbois
Sylvan Runkel State PreserveFootpaths atop ridges at this outstanding preserve.
Photo: Seth Brooks
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