During the early 20th century visitors along the Lincoln Highway used travel as a new way to connect with nature while creating new adventures! Today travelers are still making connections with natural, scenic, and recreational opportunities whether it’s during a short day trip or a full drive along 460 miles across 13 counties along the Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway in Iowa.
For a complete breakdown, be sure to view and download our Activity and Recreation and Camping Guides!
As you enjoy the outdoors this year, and as we recognize Earth Day later this month, it is a good time to review your outdoor ethic. Please be responsible, protect our natural world, and be considerate of other visitors and the landscape. Remember to always check local regulations and guidelines. Here are some universal outdoor ethics worth following: The 7-Principles.
There are so many grand views to see, hikes to take, fish to catch, bike trails to ride, and nature’s treasures to discover we can’t name them all! Below are thirteen earth-friendly stops along the Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway you should not miss (one for each county along the Byway)!
MISSISSIPPI RIVER ECO TOURISM CENTER – Clinton County
3942 291st St, Camanche, IA
- 8,000-Gallon River Fish Aquarium
- Wildlife of the River Eco-System
- Turtle Island Display
- Giant Cottonwood
- Iowa State Record Fish Display
- Touch Tank
- Riverbank Display
Randy Justis/Boyd Fitzgerald Imaging Solutions Photo
Hound Dog Rock Shop – Cedar County
115 Lombard Street Clarence, IA
- Collectables From Around the World
- Minerals, Gems, and Fossils
- No 2 Stones Alike
- Efforts Made to Ethically Source
- Custom Made Jewelry
- All Ages Welcome
- Rock On!
Hound Dog Shop Photo
Mount Trashmore – Linn County
2250 A Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Former Landfill Transitioned to Recreational Site
- Hiking
- Walking
- Mountain Biking – Wear a Helmet!
- Educational tours
- Picnicking
- Some Steep Grades
Solid Waste Agency – Cedar Rapids/Linn County Photo
Jumbo Well – Benton County
Commemorative Plaque, Corner of 8th and 8th, Belle Plaine, IA
Exhibit, Belle Plaine Area Museum Henry B. Tippie Annex
- Known as the Eight Wonder of the World
- Artesian Well That Ran Loose for Over a Year in 1886
- Known to “Sing” Until Silenced by Engineers
- Gushed 3 Million Gallons a Day
- Took 130 Barrels of Cement to Cap
- Now an Aquifer Less Than 200 Feet Below Belle Plaine
Iowa Adventurer Photo
Otter Creek Marsh – Tama County
One Mile NW of Chelsea, IA on E66
- 1,200-Acre Wetland
- Viewing Platform
- Migrating Waterfowl
- Aquatic Wildlife
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Boats Allowed
Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan Photo
Marietta Sand Prairie Preserve – Marshall County
1744 Knapp Avenue, Albion, IA
- Rare Sand Prairie
- 56 Acres of Sand Prairie Remnant
- 210 Acre Seep Wetland Addition
- Wildlife and Flora Viewing
- Rare Plant Species Unique to Sand Prairies
- Includes Some Threatened or Endangered Ferns
- Hunting
Iowan Natural Heritage Foundation Photo
Reiman Gardens – Story County
Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd., Ames, IA
- 17 Acre Site
- Indoor and Outdoor Gardens
- Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing
- Lake Helen
- CoHorts Dancing Chimes Plaza
- Bald Cypress Allee
- Hughes Conservatory
Reiman Gardens Photo
Ledges State Park – Boone County
1515 P Ave, Madrid, IA
- One of Iowa’s Most Historic and Scenic Nature Destinations
- Sandstone Ledges Above Des Moines River
- Pea’s Creek “Canyon”
- Hiking
- Camping
- Streamwalking/Wading
- Boating
Prairie Rivers of Iowa Photo
Raccoon River Valley Trail – Greene County
507 E Lincoln Way, Jefferson, IA
- Trailhead for 89-Mile Long Multi-Use Recreational Trail
- Biking, Walking, Hiking, Snowmobiling, Cross Country Skiing
- Woodland, Prairie, Wildflower and Agricultural Scenic Views
- Camping, Restrooms, and Shower Facilities
- 600 Foot Long Trestle Bridge
- Parking
- User Permit Required (18 Years and Older)
Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Photo
Swan Lake State Park – Carroll County
22676 Swan Lake Trail, Carroll, IA
- Camping
- Biking, Walking, and Hiking
- Bird Watching and Wildlife
- Fishing
- Boating, Canoeing & Kayaking
- Swimming
- Horseback Riding
Matt Wetrich Photo
Yellow Smoke State Park – Crawford County
2237 Yellow Smoke Rd, Denison, IA
- 358 Acre Recreation Area
- Biking, Walking, and Hiking
- Bird Watching and Wildlife
- Fishing
- Boating with Concrete Ramp
- Beach Swimming and Bathhouse
- Camping
Crawford County Conservation Photo
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge – Harrison County
1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA
- 8,365 Acre Refuge
- DeSoto Lake (Oxbow Lake)
- Migratory Bird Corridor
- Tallgrass Prairie, Bottomland Forest, and Wetland Habitats
- Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
- Steamboat Bertrand Archeological Exhibit
- Rare Glimpse of What Pre-Settlement Iowa Looked Like
Troy Hugen Photo
Hitchcock Nature Center – Pottawattamie County
27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA
- Rare Wind-Deposited Loess Hills
- Walking, Hiking, Camping
- Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing
- Seasonal Migrating Raptors and Pollinators
- Observation Tower
- Archery Range
Pottawattamie County Conservation Photo