Nature in Jasper County ranges from original tallgrass prairie to rolling oak-hickory woodland. Lakes, trails, and historic sites add further points of interest, offering different ways to explore the county’s landscape and history.
Prairie, Forest, and Protected Nature
A.C. and Lela Morris Prairie is one of the few remaining original tallgrass prairie areas in Jasper County. Kish-Ke-Kosh Prairie is also an original, unplowed prairie preserve. Its soil consists of wind-deposited sand and loess from Iowa’s last ice age. The prairie is named after Chief Kish-Ke-Kosh, the leader of a Fox group associated with Chiefs Black Hawk and Keokuk.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge protects 6,000 acres of wildlife habitat. Ashton Wildwood Park features a different landscape: it encompasses 113 acres of oak-hickory hardwood forest in rolling country. A self-guided, half-mile trail leads through the park; a brochure available at the trailhead explains the route. Free public programs are offered at the observatory.
Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve covers 450 acres and serves as both a park and a nature preserve. Public fishing access is available at Ahrens Access. The preserve is a quarter-mile north of the Lynnville exit on I-80.
Trails, Lakes, and Outdoor Activities
Rock Creek State Park has a five-mile bike trail that connects to Grinnell. Boat and paddlesports rentals are offered through the park concessionaire. Mariposa Recreation Area features a 151-acre site with an 18-acre lake and pine-covered hills. Activities there include fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking; there is also a nature playground for children.
Quarry Springs Park near Colfax is a 480-acre recreation area with lakes. You can fish for largemouth bass and go canoeing and kayaking here. Kayaks are available to rent during the summer months. Practical information about paddling differs by location: kayak rentals at Quarry Springs are seasonal, while boat and paddlesports rentals at Rock Creek State Park are handled through the concessionaire.
In Newton, an eight-mile hiking and biking trail connects Maytag Park, Aurora Park, Agnes Patterson Park, also known as Newton Arboretum, and Woodland Park. It is considerably longer than the half-mile trail at Ashton Wildwood Park. This comparison gives a sense of the trail lengths but says nothing about hiking time or difficulty.
Local History and Special Destinations
The artesian mineral springs of Colfax were discovered in 1875. Colfax Historical Society and Museum features exhibits on mineral water bottling and hotel advertising, as well as souvenirs and memorabilia. These include a canvas tent house once made in Colfax, a vintage automobile, and a fiberglass buffalo. The Jasper County Historical Society museum campus also includes an agricultural building.
Wagaman Mill, also called Old Mill, was built in 1848. It served as a sawmill, carding mill, gristmill, feed mill, and power plant. To reach it, take T-38 south from I-80 Exit 179. Colfax has been the site of the Jasper County Fair since 1936. The entirely free fair has a seasonal program; check the dates if you’d like to plan your visit around it.
Recreation options also offer a range of experiences: Colfax Women’s Club Park has a playground, a shelter, and a stage. Colfax Country Club has a 9-hole course measuring 2,980 yards from the longest tees, with a par of 36. Van Wijk Winery is located on the Heartland/I-80 Wine Trail.
Iowa Speedway in Newton is a state-of-the-art paved tri-oval track measuring seven-eighths of a mile and a motorsports facility. To get there, take Interstate 80, Exit 168, then follow Iowa Speedway Drive.
Explore more destinations: Clay County, Kossuth County, Poweshiek County, Pocahontas County, Marshall, Cerro Gordo County.
For the main travel overview: Iowa.
