Hike Cedar Valley Lakes Trail

This year for Earth day, I decided to hike one of my favorite trails near Waterloo, Robinson Bird Sanctuary. I love exploring this area during the spring season because of the beautiful Bluebell flowers that cover the woods. The colors are so bright and imaginative on the trail, it makes it feel as if you're hiking through a fairy tale. I wanted to capture the trails beauty during spring blosso...

Beeds Lake Trail is a 2 mile loop hike that takes you by a lake located near Hampton, Iowa.

It is so easy to find fossils at Fossil & Prairie Park Preserve in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Kid-friendly, had a great time and we found over 100's of Devonian fossils in a few hours. The parking is conveniently located right next to the fossil pit.  

Where's the fun in driving right up to your scenic destination? Here's how we had a more adventurous day at the lake by hopping off the beaten path: Just as you enter the park from County Road F16 coming out of the small town of Solon, IA you will see a small, grass parking lot on your right (this lot has been marked by the pin on the map below). On the opposite side of the street is the entran...

Effigy Mounds provides some of the best hiking opportunities in Iowa. It is located in the state’s northeastern most county, Allamakee County, along the Mississippi River. There are several units, the most notable being the north unit, located right next to the visitor center, and the south unit, which is located a little further down the road. The south unit is less used and less popular, but...

To get to Effigy Mounds National Monument travel to the town of Marquette, Iowa. If you drive north of town about three miles, the road will curve to the left, and the park entrance will be on the right.  After you park, you may take a stop in the Visitor Center to grab a map or any souvenirs. From the Visitor Center, follow the deck to the left side of the building to the bridge.  Once you c...