Story by Michael Watkins // Photography by Bill Sitzmann
Onyx Automotive is Nebraska’s premier luxury vehicle destination
A sunny fall weekend is a perfect time to cruise the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway by vehicle and foot, making numerous stops at overlooks, parks, and unique sites along the way.
“You don’t feel like you’re in Iowa when you visit the loess hills,” said Becca Castle, byways coordinator with Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development.
She puts together trips for visitors to the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. “Iowa tends to be flat and known for (soy)beans and corn, but you feel transformed when you’re in the loess hills.”
The loess hills in Iowa run north of Sioux City to just south of Hamburg. There are only two places on Earth that can boast loess hills—the other is southwest of Beijing, China. Castle identified several scenically breathtaking and easily accessible stops over the 220 miles of the main Loess Hills National Scenic Byway route during any visit. The route takes drivers through Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills, and Fremont counties and can be done as a weekend adventure.
Located about 130 miles north and east of ONYX Automotive—or 122 miles north of Council Bluffs—Akron, Iowa, is the northern tip of the byway. The hills may not look like much at that point, but driving along Highway 12, road trippers can encounter a Loess Hills Interpretive Center, which features exhibits in a former one-room schoolhouse. Drivers will enter Woodbury County on Highway 12 and pass through western Sioux City before the byway joins I-29 at Exit 151 and travels south for 10 miles along the Missouri River.
Woodbury is an ideal place for people to stop and look around, as this county includes two conservation areas, a nature center, forest preserve, and state park. This county also includes Sioux City, which is the fourth largest city in Iowa and a perfect spot to grab a bite to eat or a drink.
About 30 miles south of Woodbury County is Monona County, noted for the Turin Man Archeological Site, where 6,000-year-old human remains were found in 1955. This county is entered from County Road L12 and includes a state forest, state park, nature preserve, and woodlands. Monona offers three loops for the ultimate scenic experience.
Harrison County is entered from Iowa Highway 183 and passes through Pisgah. Murray Hill Scenic Overlook, located west of Pisgah, offers a panoramic view of the Missouri River Valley. “This is one of the most picturesque locations in the loess hills and offers great opportunities for photography,” Castle said. “The overlook offers views of the valley and Missouri River in all directions.” This is the heart of the loess hills, and the view here is unlike anywhere else in Iowa.
About 25 miles north of Hitchcock Nature Center is Brent’s Trail in Harrison County, which boasts 13 miles of scenic pathways that venture through the Loess Hills State Forest. The eight-mile elevated hiking trail goes to the top of the bluffs and provides a great vantage point that offers miles of viewing pleasure. It connects Harrison County Conservation’s Murray Hill Scenic Overlook and Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area via the Loess Hills State Forest.
Those who don’t want to spend the whole day on the road (but why not?) can start in the Pottawattamie County section, which passes under I-880 at exit 21 and is 36 miles from ONYX Automotive.
Hitchcock Nature Center in Pottawattamie County is a great place to get out and explore Iowa’s loess hills.
On the grounds outside, an interpretive garden is made up of native prairie plants and flowers, along with a patio area for picnicking and relaxing. A handicap-accessible boardwalk to an observation desk offers beautiful views of the park and the surrounding flora and fauna. The 45-foot observation tower maximizes the visit with a unique aerial view of the Loess Hills and adjacent landforms. Hitchcock Nature Center also has a scenic alternate loop. Other places to visit are two parks and a preserve in Council Bluffs. Those who have been traveling for a while, or need a bite to eat before heading out on the trail, can find plenty in the city of Council Bluffs.
Mills County is entered from County Road L35 and is home to the Pony Creek and Waubonsie Excursion Loops. The county includes two parks, a prairie preserve, and an archaeological state preserve.
Road trippers can end their day in Fremont County, which is entered on U.S. 275 and includes two loops. Those wanting to camp will find plenty of options at Waubonsie State Park. Castle recommends visiting the overlook at Waubonsie State Park. Located north of Hamburg, the park is not only located on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway but also the Lewis & Clark Historical Trail. The scenic overlook provides one of the rarest vistas of the loess hills and the Missouri River bottom. The scenically rugged trail is highlighted by steep slopes and ridgetops through Murray Hill, Loess Hills State Forest, and Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Management Area.
While Castle said it’s possible to visit much of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway in a single day-trip, she recommends taking two or three days to fully experience everything it has to offer. “I recommend visiting for basic details and information,” she said. “There’s so much to see and do, that you can’t really get the full experience in a day.”
Go to visitloesshills.org for more information about the byway, and visit onyxautomotive.com to take this trip in style in a vehicle such as the Jaguar pictured here.
