Story – Nature Trails, Parks and Prairie Landscapes
Accommodation in Story
Story combines expansive trails, water landscapes, prairie and cultural attractions. For planning your trip, the variety of experiences is particularly interesting: you can give different weight to a paved route, nature trails, lakes, river access points and historical traces. This allows you to tailor your search for a vacation rental or vacation home to the focus of the holiday you actually want to experience.
Trails for Active Days and Historical Discoveries
The section of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail in Story County has been fully paved since the end of 2024 and forms a continuous 21-mile concrete corridor. It connects Slater, Huxley, Cambridge, Maxwell and Collins. Those who enjoy covering longer distances can consider this trail an important part of their trip planning. Between Huxley and Cambridge, the Monarch Tunnel also features themed art celebrating the Monarch Highway.
In the Skunk River Greenbelt, the trail follows, where possible, an old stagecoach route that connected early settlements in the valley. Soper's Mill, a historic site, is also located there. At the same time, the Greenbelt provides habitat for otters, turkeys, deer, small mammals and songbirds. Hiking, mountain biking away from paved trails, horseback riding, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing and kayaking offer different ways to experience the landscape.
Lakes, Parks and Nature Trails
The approximately three-mile hiking loop in Hickory Grove Park follows a limestone gravel path around the lake. Cross-country skiing is available there in winter. The nearly one-mile Touch-a-Life Trail in McFarland Park leads to accessible facilities at the lake, including a fishing pier, an observation deck and accessible picnic areas. This allows you to choose between a longer loop and a shorter trail with specific destinations when planning your day.
The 103-acre Dakins Lake Park encompasses two lakes with a total of 20 acres of open water. At Dakins Lake, there are two miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking away from paved trails. Peterson Park offers 3.7 miles of trails for mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. The McMichael Pioneer Cemetery and sections of the Stagecoach Trail (East Peterson) are also located there.
Robison Wildlife Acres is a wildlife refuge where hunting and trapping are not permitted. Nature trails lead through grassland and woodland; the area is also considered a popular destination for spring wildflower walks. The parks in Story County are generally open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified. For your specific planning, therefore, check the applicable notices in each case.
Prairie, Waterways and Seasonal Differences
Doolittle Prairie is a 40-acre pothole prairie. Its depressions provide valuable habitat for wetland wildlife. From May through September, the county hosts monthly guided walks there each year under the title “Evening Walks on the Prairie.” The Praeri Rail Trail is 10.5 miles long. In summer, its uses include hiking, cycling, jogging and horseback riding; in winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are possible, with snowmobiles requiring sufficient snow cover and other motorized vehicles being prohibited.
Along the Praeri Rail Trail lies the approximately 17-acre Ed Powell Wildlife Area, with restored prairie and a small stream. Hiking, walking, birdwatching and geocaching are possible there. For water-based experiences, the South Skunk River Water Trail has 11 access points, 8 of which are managed by Story County Conservation. These differences can help you focus your trip more on trails, nature observation or activities on the water.
Culture and Regional Highlights
There are also reasons to get to know Story more closely beyond the nature trails. Museums of Story City supports four museums, an extensive collection and educational programs. In the host community of Ames, Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyard produces hybrid wines from its own grapes. Such cultural and culinary destinations complement a stay when you want to combine active days with more relaxed sightseeing.
The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip
When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home, you can first decide which type of experience should define your holiday. For long trails and cycling tours, the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail is the main attraction, while parks such as Dakins Lake, Peterson Park or Hickory Grove Park offer other combinations of exercise and nature observation. Those interested in prairie and guided walks should consider Doolittle Prairie and the Praeri Rail Trail. For a trip involving several interests, it is advisable to define your preferred daily structure and then choose a suitable base within Story.
For further orientation within the area, pages on Nevada, Ames and Story City are available.
For the higher-level travel overview: Iowa.
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