Walk the wild Loess Hills at Waubonsie State Park
Waubonsie State Park, near Hamburg, Iowa
Missed by the masses, these unique hills of western Iowa offer a mystical experience to those who find them.
Trail Waubonsie State Park trail system
Overview
Iowa’s Waubonsie State Park is within sight of I-29, but most motorists rush down the highway unaware of this spectacular enclave of nature. Waubonsie – and most of extreme western Iowa – is defined by the Loess Hills. It’s a band of terrain up to 15 miles wide and span 200 miles from St. Joseph, Mo., to South Dakota.Loess refers to wind-blown soil. That means these hills look different than others caused by geologic uplift, glacial deposits or erosion. They’ve been described as having a “wrinkled” look. Their appearance is striking: Dirt-scarred hills shoot up suddenly from river bottom flatlands with no transition zone. Some rise up to 300 feet above the Missouri River bottomlands.
These “crumbly” hills were devoid of trees in their natural state, often because wildfires and grazing buffalo and elk kept them bare. With fire suppression and farming came trees, so much of the hill range is cloaked in forest. Yet much of the original “fire” remains in these hills, with plants usually associated with the West popping up here.
While loess soils are not unique to Missouri and Iowa, their size here is unmatched except for a region in China. This region is truly unique in the Americas.
Waubonsie State Park is a prime example of this unique geological phenomenon. You’ll find plunging hillsides, dark forest, endless vistas, wildflowers and wildlife.
Bonus
On the way to Waubonsie, motorists will pass:Indian Cave State Park (Shubert, Neb.).
All are excellent places to explore the Loess Hills. If you are looking for food or lodging near Waubonsie, you can find it in Hamburg, Iowa, or Nebraska City, Neb. Both are about 15 minutes from the park.
Arbor Day Farm is a family-oriented park (paid admission required) in Nebraska City, Neb. Lied Lodge, also in Nebraska City, is a unique, nature-oriented hotel.
Nebraska City is also home to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitors Center (paid admission) and Arbor Lodge State Historical Park (paid admission).
Length There are 9 miles of trails, with 5 of those on an equestrian trail on the north side of the park. Although the 5-mile equestrian trail is the longest, it’s not a scenic as the trails in the main park unit. The 2-miles Sunset Ridge Trail is highly recommended, although all of them provide prime opportunities to explore this unique environment. If you are an experienced hiker, you can walk most of the park’s non-equestrian trails in about two hours.
Address and location Waubonsie State Park, 2585 Waubonsie Park Road, Hamburg, Iowa, 51640
Conditions Trails are either crushed rock or dirt. They are well marked. By the nature of this being a park in the midst of hills, there are challenging elevation changes. If you simply want to view the scenery, you can easily park and walk the short Overlook Trail without breaking a sweat.
Kid friendly? This trail is for children who can carry their own weight.
How busy? This area is moderately trafficked. If you are seeking a quieter experience, visit on a weekday or in the offseason.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
Bikes Check with the park because bikes are prohibited on some trails.
