Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
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Pottawattamie County

Overview

Welcome to Pottawattamie County, home to Council Bluffs. Centrally located in the Loess Hills, Council Bluffs was called Kanesville when Mormons stopped here on their way west in the 1840s. In 1853, as hundreds of thousands of gold rushers and pioneers later made the city a crossroads to the west, it was renamed Council Bluffs, reflecting the title given the region by Lewis and Clark in 1804. 

Pottawattamie County is also home to the Hitchcock Loop, which is a 40-minute loop off of the byway spine. 

There are many sites to see in Pottawattamie County. Be sure to check the sections below for what to see.
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Directions

Enter northern Pottawattamie County on County Road L34 which passes under I-880 and continues south with horizon-to-horizon views of farm fields that seem to roll away from the Byway. 

Nearly 14 miles later, when the Byway meets County Road G81, you should turn right (south) to follow that for 3.5 miles to U.S. 6 which leads to Council Bluffs. 

At U.S. 6, turn right (east) to go to South 7th Street (Iowa Highway 192), a one-way street going south to the South Expressway which passes under I-20/80 to meet the South Omaha Bridge Road, 3 miles later. 

At the South Omaha Bridge Road (also called Iowa Highway 92), you turn left (east) to pass over I-29 and then, less than 2 miles after leaving the South Expressway, meet Harry Langdon Boulevard. 

At Harry Langdon Boulevard, turn right (south). On your left is the Iowa School for the Deaf. Shortly afterward, the boulevard becomes Wabash Avenue, and then County Road L35, for just more than 6 miles, leads you along the base of the Hills and sometimes rides high enough on their flanks to provide vistas of the Missouri River Valley before you exit Pottawattamie County. 

Byway Communities

Honey Creek

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Photo: Aeroplane Inn

Council Bluffs

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Photo: City of Council Bluffs

Notable Attractions

This list is not comprehensive. Visit our page on Travel Iowa to learn more about attractions in Pottawattamie County.

Lincoln Monument

Commemorates Abraham Lincoln's visit in 1859.
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Photo: City of Council Bluffs

Lewis and Clark Monument Park

Views of Eppley Airfield and the Omaha skyline.
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Photo: Golden Hills RC&D

Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard

Family-owned apple orchard and vineyard.
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Photo: Shelly Eisenhauer

Union Pacific Railroad Museum

Unique, interactive exhibits and a souvenir shop.
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Photo: Union Pacific Railroad Museum

Outdoor Recreation

This list is not comprehensive. Visit our page on Travel Iowa to learn more about recreation in Pottawattamie County.

Hitchcock Nature Center

Popular park home to Hitchcock HawkWatch.
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Photo: Seth Brooks

Mt. Crescent Ski Area

Equipment rentals & lessons. Hiking trails off-season.
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Photo: Mt. Crescent Ski Area

Lake Manawa State Park

One of western Iowa’s premier spots for boating.
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Photo: Unleash CB

Wabash Trace Nature Trail

Famous for Thursday Night Taco Ride!
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Photo: Golden Hills RC&D

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  • Home
  • About
    • Learn More
  • Explore the Byway
    • Events
    • 125 Things to Do
  • Recreation