Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
  • Home
  • About
    • Learn More
  • Explore the Byway
    • Events
    • 125 Things to Do
  • Recreation

explore
Plymouth County

Overview

Plymouth County is the northernmost county on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. In addition to traveling the byway spine, you can explore the Ridge Road Excursion Loop and the Butcher Road Connection.

Directions

When you arrive in Akron, look for information about the byway at the information kiosk in the city park along Iowa Highway 12 on the city's north side. Although Akron is the northern anchor of Iowa's Loess Hills, you're no doubt looking around and wondering "What hills?" 

If you watch as you drive south out of Akron on Iowa Highway 12, you will see them rise gently out of the relatively flat fields like gentle swells on the ocean. To the west you'll see the Big Sioux River, Iowa's boundary with South Dakota.
Picture
When you arrive in Westfield, the westernmost city in Iowa, be sure to follow the signs to the Loess Hills Interpretive Center which has new exhibits in a former one-room schoolhouse at Union and Linden Streets.  

​
As you continue south on Highway 12, you will notice the Loess Hills rise in height and become more sharply etched. Similarly, you will also notice that, at times, the highway lies on a narrow ledge of land between the base of the Loess Hills and the Big Sioux River.

Byway Communities

Akron

Picture
Photo: Golden Hills RC&D

Westfield

Picture
Photo: Golden Hills RC&D

Notable Attractions

This list is not comprehensive. Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn more about attractions in Plymouth County.

Akron Opera House

Listed on National Register of Historic Places.
Picture
Photo: Akron Opera House

Broken Kettle Grasslands

Bison roam the largest remnant prairie in Iowa.
Picture
Photo: Kenneth West

Tucker Hill Vineyards

Wine tastings and vineyard tours.
Picture
Photo: Tucker Hill Vineyards

Knapp Prairie

Hotspot for regal fritillaries.
Picture
Photo: Seth Brooks

Outdoor Recreation

This list is not comprehensive. Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn more about recreation in Plymouth County.

Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve

Oak timbered valleys and native prairie ridges.
Picture
Photo: Lance Brisbois

Hillview Recreation Area

Camp, swim, hunt, hike, bike, and ride a horse.
Picture
Photo: Golden Hills RC&D

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
    • Learn More
  • Explore the Byway
    • Events
    • 125 Things to Do
  • Recreation