Cedar Bluffs State Preserve showcases Mahaska County at its most striking: 100-foot sandstone cliffs, box canyons and small waterfalls define the area. It lies just upstream of the confluence of Cedar Creek and the Des Moines River. The rock formations and river landscape give you two concrete starting points for discovering the county’s natural beauty.
Cliffs, river and open landscapes
Cedar Bluffs Natural Area has a two-mile trail with overlooks of the Des Moines River valley. The overlooks draw your gaze to the river valley, while the stated length helps you gauge the trail’s scope. Mahaska County also has more than 1,722 acres of forests, wetlands, prairies and parks to explore. The Mahaska County Conservation Board manages 21 separate parks, river accesses and wildlife areas, with more than six miles of maintained trails. The acreage figure encompasses different types of landscapes; the managed sites and trails give you concrete starting points for exploring nature.
Trails, wildlife and outdoor activities
Quercus Wilderness Area encompasses 111 acres of wilderness. There, a paved, accessible trail leads to an overlook on a bluff. Hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking and primitive camping are also possible. At Caldwell Park & Environmental Learning Center, an 18-hole disc golf course winds through forest and prairie. You can experience nature here both on a trail to an overlook and as part of a course.
At Russell Wildlife Area, five quarry ponds offer opportunities to fish for largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. Small boats, canoes and kayaks are allowed on all the ponds. Hiking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also possible there. Maskunky Marsh has a different focus: it provides high-quality habitat for migratory waterfowl, and a birdwatching blind at the south end overlooks the marsh.
At White Oak Conservation Area, a nature trail with self-guided interpretive signs provides easy access to the shoreline. There is also a boat ramp, a dock and a fishing pier. The combination of a nature trail and shoreline access differs from the ponds at Russell Wildlife Area, where small boats, canoes and kayaks are allowed on all the ponds.
Routes and current conditions of use
Bluff Creek OVH Park offers about 20 miles of trails and four motocross tracks. It is open to ATVs and off-road motorcycles; it is not currently listed as open to ORVs or side-by-sides. Weather and trail conditions can affect access. Check these conditions before your visit.
For the Mahaska Community Recreation Trail, it is important to distinguish between the completed portion and the planned final route: more than 13.6 of the planned 15 miles have been completed. When fully complete, the 10-foot-wide paved trail is intended to form a loop around Oskaloosa and University Park in Mahaska County.
Wine and cultural history
Tassel Ridge Winery offers seated wine tastings; reservations are requested. Winery tours are available during regular business hours by prior reservation. When the weather permits, gourmet Iowa cheese is available on the patio. Tastings and tours offer different ways to get to know the winery; their respective reservation requirements can help you plan.
Culture is also part of the visitor experience: the Mural and Sculpture Tours attract residents and visitors in Oskaloosa. In 1958, Nelson Pioneer Farm became the home of the Mahaska County Historical Society. The farm thus points to a specific chapter in the county’s institutional history.
Discover more destinations: Oskaloosa, Linn, Pocahontas County, Palo Alto County, Decatur County, Cherokee County, Montgomery County, Winneshiek County.
For the main travel overview: Iowa.
