Harrison County

Harrison County combines distinctive landscapes, wildlife observation, history and regional specialties. Two well-known routes give the trip a clear thematic direction: the Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway and the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway pass through the county. When choosing your vacation rental or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus your trip more on nature experiences, historic sites or culinary discoveries.

Loess Hills and DeSoto Lake

The Loess Hills State Forest offers a defining landscape experience. It extends across 11,484 acres in Harrison and Monona counties and comprises four units. Those who enjoy being outdoors will find around 10 miles of hiking trails through prairies and wooded areas in the Old Town Conservation Area. From there, views open up over the Boyer and Missouri river valleys as well as Missouri Valley. In northeastern Harrison County, hiking trails in Schaben Park run around a small pond through oak forests.

The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge also places a clear emphasis on nature. In spring and fall, thousands of waterfowl find refuge in the wetlands and on DeSoto Lake. From April 15 to October 14, visitors can fish on DeSoto Lake and use non-wake boats there. This information is helpful when planning a trip that includes wildlife observation, a hike or time by the water.

History Along the Byways

The visitor center at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge houses an archaeological collection with nearly 250,000 artifacts. They come from the salvaged wreck of the steamboat Bertrand. This means a stay in the refuge can also be combined with a historical and archaeological focus.

In Woodbine, Lincolnway encompasses eleven blocks of original brick paving. The section is considered the longest preserved stretch of its kind in Iowa. Lincolnway and the Brick Street Historic District in downtown Woodbine are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those interested in transportation and local history can deliberately include these examples in their own trip planning.

The Harrison County Historical Village dates back to the 19th century. The museum complex also serves as an Iowa Welcome Center and offers visitors a walking tour. In addition, the Harrison County Historical Village and Welcome Center is located on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, the Iowa Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway and the Western Skies Scenic Byway. This allows you to combine information about the region with a historical visit without limiting the trip to just one activity.

Regional Products and Seasonal Experiences

Harrison County also expresses its regional character through agriculture and food. Sawmill Hollow is America’s first aronia berry farm. The farm is located on 150 acres in the Loess Hills at a spring-fed lake. At the Small Fruit Farm, visitors can pick their own apples, strawberries and pumpkins. Its “Pie Parlor” serves pies, ice cream and deli sandwiches from July through October.

These seasonal offerings can shape the rhythm of a trip: in spring and fall, the waterfowl at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge are the main attraction, while the offerings at the Small Fruit Farm create a different focus from July through October. Those traveling with varied interests can combine nature, history and regional products and choose their accommodation according to the preferred character of their days on holiday.

The Right Accommodation Idea for Your Trip

The main advantage of a vacation rental in Harrison County is the opportunity to shape your holiday around your own interests. If you plan several days of hiking and wildlife observation, the Loess Hills State Forest, the Old Town Conservation Area, Schaben Park and the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge take center stage. With a focus on cultural history, Woodbine and the Harrison County Historical Village become the main destinations. Those who appreciate regional specialties can add Sawmill Hollow and the Small Fruit Farm to their trip. A vacation rental or holiday home should therefore suit your desired pace of travel and the experiences you actually plan to include.

More Destinations for Your Trip Planning

You can also include Missouri Valley as well as Guthrie, Pottawattamie, Cherokee County, Iowa County, Ida County, Woodbury and Dickinson County in your further search.

For the higher-level trip overview: Iowa.