Overview
Welcome to Woodbury County, which contains Stone Park Loop, Smokey Hollow Loop and Stagecoach Trail Loop. Also located in Woodbury County are Stone State Park, the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Betty Strong Encounter Center, among other attractions.
This area is home to Sioux City, also known as Siouxland. The metro area encompasses three cities, three rivers and parts of three states. The Missouri River, which forms the "shore of the prairie," was a lifeline of the community for several years. Riverboats traveling to and from Montana gold fields made Sioux City an important stop until railroads pushed further west. Now it is an economic hub of northwest Iowa.
Attractions specific to Sioux City include the Mid-American Air Museum, Chris Larsen Park, and Sioux City Art Center.
Directions
Enter Woodbury County on Highway 12 near the entrance to Stone State Park on Iowa Hwy. 12. Continue south on Hwy. 12 near the base of the Hills, passing through western Sioux City. There, the Byway joins I-29 at Exit 151 and travels south for 10 miles along the Missouri River.
At Exit 141, you leave I-29 for County Rd. D38 which runs east through some small hills before turning southwest onto County Rd. D25.
After traveling on the flanks of the Hills, which offer views of the wide valley of the Missouri River, enter the Hills and shortly afterward arrive in Smithland. From there, take County Rd. L12 to the south (right).
Attractions
Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn more about attractions and amenities in Woodbury County.
Communities along the byway in Woodbury County include:
Hiking
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
4500 Sioux River Road, Sioux City
712-258-0838
The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, located just south of the Highway 12 entrance to Stone State Park, is devoted wholly to the Loess Hills. It features a variety of interpretive displays, including a "walk-under" prairie, a 400-gallon aquarium of native fish, and natural history dioramas. A children's discovery area provides opportunity to handle furs, antlers, fossils, and other artifacts. Two miles of hiking trails exist around the nature center.
Fowler Forest Preserve
One-half mile west of Smithland on Hwy 141
This 160-acre area is a perfect spot for a walk through the woods.
Oak Ridge Conservation Area
Two miles west of Oto
Encompassing more than 2,082 acres of public land in the hills adjacent to the Little Sioux River Valley, Oak Ridge is divided into four units with six public parking accesses between Oto and Smithland. This natural, undeveloped area is available for hiking and public hunting.
Southwood Conservation Area
Located one mile southwest of Smithland
Southwood highlights some of the Loess Hills' open grassland and timbered areas. Trails of the area take the visitor through a variety of habitats. A self-guided nature trail brochure is available at the trail head. Numerous bluebird boxes have been erected in the area and visitors may catch a glimpse of the brilliant, blue birds.
Stone State Park
5001 Talbot Road, Sioux City
712-255-4698
On Sioux City's northwest side, the 1,069-acre park has prairie-topped ridges and dense woods. Visitors can see three states from Dakota Point and Elk Point overlooks. The park contains multi-use trails, shelters, 9 electric and 21 non-electric campsites, RV sites and interpretive panels throughout the park.
Biking
For information about bicycling in the Sioux City area, visit the Siouxland Trails Foundation's website.
Welcome to Woodbury County, which contains Stone Park Loop, Smokey Hollow Loop and Stagecoach Trail Loop. Also located in Woodbury County are Stone State Park, the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Betty Strong Encounter Center, among other attractions.
This area is home to Sioux City, also known as Siouxland. The metro area encompasses three cities, three rivers and parts of three states. The Missouri River, which forms the "shore of the prairie," was a lifeline of the community for several years. Riverboats traveling to and from Montana gold fields made Sioux City an important stop until railroads pushed further west. Now it is an economic hub of northwest Iowa.
Attractions specific to Sioux City include the Mid-American Air Museum, Chris Larsen Park, and Sioux City Art Center.
Directions
Enter Woodbury County on Highway 12 near the entrance to Stone State Park on Iowa Hwy. 12. Continue south on Hwy. 12 near the base of the Hills, passing through western Sioux City. There, the Byway joins I-29 at Exit 151 and travels south for 10 miles along the Missouri River.
At Exit 141, you leave I-29 for County Rd. D38 which runs east through some small hills before turning southwest onto County Rd. D25.
After traveling on the flanks of the Hills, which offer views of the wide valley of the Missouri River, enter the Hills and shortly afterward arrive in Smithland. From there, take County Rd. L12 to the south (right).
Attractions
Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn more about attractions and amenities in Woodbury County.
Communities along the byway in Woodbury County include:
Hiking
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
4500 Sioux River Road, Sioux City
712-258-0838
The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, located just south of the Highway 12 entrance to Stone State Park, is devoted wholly to the Loess Hills. It features a variety of interpretive displays, including a "walk-under" prairie, a 400-gallon aquarium of native fish, and natural history dioramas. A children's discovery area provides opportunity to handle furs, antlers, fossils, and other artifacts. Two miles of hiking trails exist around the nature center.
Fowler Forest Preserve
One-half mile west of Smithland on Hwy 141
This 160-acre area is a perfect spot for a walk through the woods.
Oak Ridge Conservation Area
Two miles west of Oto
Encompassing more than 2,082 acres of public land in the hills adjacent to the Little Sioux River Valley, Oak Ridge is divided into four units with six public parking accesses between Oto and Smithland. This natural, undeveloped area is available for hiking and public hunting.
Southwood Conservation Area
Located one mile southwest of Smithland
Southwood highlights some of the Loess Hills' open grassland and timbered areas. Trails of the area take the visitor through a variety of habitats. A self-guided nature trail brochure is available at the trail head. Numerous bluebird boxes have been erected in the area and visitors may catch a glimpse of the brilliant, blue birds.
Stone State Park
5001 Talbot Road, Sioux City
712-255-4698
On Sioux City's northwest side, the 1,069-acre park has prairie-topped ridges and dense woods. Visitors can see three states from Dakota Point and Elk Point overlooks. The park contains multi-use trails, shelters, 9 electric and 21 non-electric campsites, RV sites and interpretive panels throughout the park.
Biking
For information about bicycling in the Sioux City area, visit the Siouxland Trails Foundation's website.
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