Discover Nodaway County: Lakes, Nature and History

Nodaway County combines expansive bodies of water, distinctive natural destinations and vivid evidence of the region’s history. If you would like to shape your trip around active days on the water, walks and cultural discoveries, you will find several different focal points here. When looking for a vacation rental, you can therefore first decide whether lakes and trails, historic sites or local life in Maryville should be at the heart of your trip.

Lakes, Trails and Nature Experiences

One notable natural destination is the Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area. The area was once part of J. S. Bilby’s 26,000-acre ranch. Today, management focuses on pheasants. The area includes 150 acres of surface water, including the 110-acre Bilby Ranch Lake and several smaller ponds. This combination of water and landscape gives the natural area its own character.

At Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, size and variety take center stage: the park covers 3,000 acres, the lake itself covers 1,000 acres and the shoreline stretches for 26 miles. Paved and natural-surface hiking trails are available for planning your day. The 320-acre Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area is located on Mozingo Lake and complements this focus.

Smaller nature experiences can also be included in your plans. The Missouri Arboretum contains more than 1,700 trees and more than 160 species. It offers an arboretum walking tour as well as three trails extending across the campus of Northwest Missouri State University. This provides a different rhythm for a more relaxed day than a stay at the large lakes. Nodaway County Lake is a 73-acre lake a few miles north of Maryville. Bluegill, channel catfish and largemouth bass are stocked there for food and sport fishing.

History, Architecture and Local Culture

Those who would like to learn about the region’s past can include the Caleb Burns House and the three-story museum of the Nodaway County Heritage Collection in their plans. The Caleb Burns House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered one of the oldest surviving houses in the Platte Purchase area. The Nodaway County Historical Society owns and maintains the house. The museum displays artifacts and historical material from the collection, providing its own cultural focal point.

Additional historical points of interest include the Hickory Grove Schoolhouse, built in the spring of 1883, and Conception Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in northwestern Missouri. The Nodaway County Historical Society’s “Eating Local: Food in Nodaway County” exhibition also explores the preparation and preservation of food from the late 19th to the early 20th century. This makes it possible to combine a nature trip with regional history and food culture.

Maryville and Trip Planning

In the host town of Maryville, the Downtown Maryville Market takes place downtown every Saturday from May through October. It offers fresh produce, baked goods, handmade goods and distinctive local products. The Nodaway County Fair is a summer tradition in the county. If you would like to include such events in your trip, consider the desired focus of your entire journey when choosing your vacation rental: nature destinations, historical discoveries or local events can set different priorities.

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Iron County, Cedar, Washington County, Callaway, Newton County, Barton County and Jasper.

For the overarching travel overview: Missouri.