Discover Des Moines County: Nature, Culture, and River Landscapes
Accommodation in Des Moines County
Des Moines County combines impressive nature experiences, river landscapes, and a remarkable cultural history. Between the Mississippi River, forests, lakes, and historic buildings, you will find a variety of ways to plan your trip: active days on trails and on the water, discoveries in museums, or special events in Burlington. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore worth deciding in advance which focus you want for your trip.
Nature Among Forests, Cliffs, and Water
Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve covers 184 acres and is managed by Des Moines County Conservation. Limestone and dolomite cliffs containing fossils such as brachiopods, crinoids, cup corals, and gastropods give the park its distinctive geological character. At Big Hollow Recreation Area, you will find a 178-acre lake with a beach, boat ramp, and several fishing piers. There is also a kayak launch; during the season, you can rent kayaks and canoes from the camp host. More than ten miles of hiking trails, including sections for horseback riders, round out the amenities.
Other nature experiences offer different highlights. Leopold Recreation Area is located in the Southeast Iowa Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. At Luckenbill Woods, more than a mile of trails cross Dolbee Creek; the area is managed as a wildlife management area and natural resource area. At Hickory Bend, a spur from the Flint River Trail leads to a shelter on a hill overlooking the creek and the valley below. For outings on the water, Welter Recreation Area extends along a 2.5-mile section of the Skunk River, which groups use for river trips as well as canoeing and kayaking.
Special Activities for Planning Your Trip
An unusual challenge is the climb in the Snake Alley Criterium along the historic brick-paved Snake Alley. It is 276 feet long, has five hairpin turns, and reaches an average grade of 12.5 percent over a 60-foot climb. The Snake Alley Criterium also uses a 14-block circuit with 0.9 miles per lap on streets in downtown. The Friday Night Fever Criterium follows an 11-block, 0.88-mile circuit that begins at the intersection of N 4th Street and High Street.
Those who want to observe the sky can reserve a 90-minute session at the John H. Witte Observatory. Sessions are limited to up to 20 visitors and include tours of the observatory and telescopes, educational programs, and telescope observations. There are also specific seasonal conditions on the water: Tama Beach River Access provides a concrete ramp to Mississippi River Pool 19 and a gravel parking area between the levee and the river. A seasonal boat dock is available during the summer and fall boating season, provided the water level at Burlington is below 9.5 feet.
History, Museums, and Local Culture
At the upper end of Snake Alley stands the Phelps House Museum, a Victorian house dating from 1851. Nine rooms display furnishings dating from 1774 onward. Burlington’s Heritage Hill Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. At the Heritage Center Museum, you can see a building that opened as the Burlington Public Library in 1898; the Des Moines County Heritage Center Museum is dedicated to the history and creative spirit of the people who have lived in Des Moines County, Iowa.
The Heritage Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. With pioneer furniture and tools, the Hawkeye Log Cabin recalls the area’s settlement history. For the evening, options include the Capitol Theater, with live performances, classic films, and special events in an Art Deco setting, as well as the Art Center of Burlington, with monthly exhibitions, an artists’ gallery, classes, and special events. In summer, the bandstand in Crapo Park regularly hosts outdoor concerts by the Burlington Municipal Band on Sunday evenings.
River Landscapes and Practical Orientation
Crapo Park lies along the Mississippi River and covers 85 acres, including an arboretum and botanical garden. In Burlington, the Great River Road National Scenic Byway offers riverside parks, historic downtowns, and viewpoints along the river. The Jefferson Street Farmers Market adds to the travel experience with locally produced goods, baked goods, preserves, plants, arts and crafts, food, and live entertainment. For arrivals, Southeast Iowa Regional Airport serves Burlington, West Burlington, Des Moines County, and the surrounding areas.
Choose your accommodation based on whether nature, water, history, or events should be the main focus. For further location options, you can also discover West Burlington and Burlington. This allows you to tailor your trip planning to the experiences you find especially interesting to enjoy together.
For the higher-level travel overview: Iowa.
More Destinations
More places within the same destination:
