Decatur County offers several distinct ways to plan a stay: nature among wooded hills and valleys, activities on the lake, paved trails, and places steeped in history. The first planning question is whether to focus on scenery and water, outdoor activity, or historical themes.
Nature and Water
Nine Eagles State Park is one of the most scenic state parks in southern Iowa. Wooded hills and scenic valleys shape its landscape.
Little River Recreation Area covers 2,200 acres and is jointly managed by the Decatur County Conservation Board and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Fishing, waterfowl hunting, and recreational boating are available at Little River Lake. This makes it possible to choose different types of activities: Nine Eagles State Park is known for its hills and valleys, while activities on and around the water take center stage at Little River Lake.
Paved Trails and Routes
Length and route are useful points of reference when choosing a trail. The paved Lamoni Recreational Trail is six miles long and offers routes for biking and hiking. It follows a former railroad line. The paved Leon Scenic Trail is also paved, is 1.5 miles long, and connects the fairgrounds with Little River Recreation Area. The longer Lamoni route along a former railroad line therefore differs from the shorter connecting trail in Leon.
The Jefferson Highway also runs directly through Decatur County. It is a new Iowa Heritage Byway and provides another route to explore alongside the paved trails.
Historic Places
Garden Grove – Trailside Historical Park is located where emigrants from Brigham Young’s 1846 vanguard established a roadside settlement for rest. They intended to provide food and lodging for themselves and the wagon trains that followed from Nauvoo. The site links the history of a roadside settlement with the food and shelter provided along the route.
Liberty Hall in Lamoni offers a glimpse of a different historical period: The building was constructed in 1881 and served as Joseph Smith III’s home until 1905. It is listed in Iowa’s historic homes directories and the National Register of Historic Places. While Garden Grove recalls the 1846 migration, Liberty Hall’s construction date, residential use, and registry listings help put the home’s history in context.
The Decatur County Courthouse still stands today. Its building materials include iron, steel, stone, tile, brick, marble, and granite. The variety of materials offers a concrete view of the building, while Liberty Hall is primarily understood in historical terms through its construction and residential use.
Hours and Directions
The Decatur County Museum is open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Appointments can also be made to visit the museum. Check seasonal opening hours before you travel.
Near Leon, Little River Lake and Recreation Area is five minutes east of Interstate 35. Check access conditions before driving there. This lets you plan directions to the lake area separately from the museum’s seasonal hours.
Discover more destinations: Lamoni, Osceola County, Warren County, Bremer County, Fremont County, Marshall, Carroll, Dubuque.
For the broader travel overview: Iowa.
