Poweshiek County Conservation manages nine park and wildlife areas covering more than 2,173 acres combined, dedicated to public use and recreation. Nature takes different forms here: along the lake, in wooded ravines and beside a rare unchannelized stretch of the North Skunk River.
Lake, trails and landforms
Diamond Lake Park encompasses a 90-acre lake and has hiking trails. The paved Stagecoach Trail connects the park directly to Montezuma. Its northern section runs through the Diamond Lake Wildlife Area and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. Each feature has a different emphasis: the lake is a clear destination, the trail provides a direct connection to Montezuma, and the wildlife-viewing opportunities are specifically associated with its northern section.
In southern Poweshiek County, Fleming Woods is a 38-acre State Preserve. It contains wooded ravines characteristic of the rolling landscape of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain. While the lake itself is the prominent landform at Diamond Lake, the terrain takes center stage at Fleming Woods.
The Millgrove Access Wildlife Area adds a river landscape to this comparison: it contains one of the few remaining unchannelized stretches of the North Skunk River. Those wishing to distinguish natural areas by their landscape type will find three specific points of reference: a lake, wooded ravines and a river.
Discover history and art
A museum in the former Poweshiek County Jail houses artifacts from Poweshiek County. The name of the former building and the origins of the artifacts give visitors a direct connection to the county’s history.
Fitzsimmons School, also known as Scott Township School No. 7, also conveys the character of a one-room rural school from the 1890s. In Grinnell, the Methodist Church is the city’s oldest church building; it was built in 1895. The Grinnell History Hike offers an introduction to the city’s history and begins at the train station at 1014 3rd Ave. This places a specific historic site alongside a dedicated starting point for a history walk; the church is not listed as a stop on the hike.
The Grinnell College Museum of Art presents exhibitions by regional, national and international artists throughout the year. The Grinnell College art collection includes more than 5,000 works of art. The exhibitions and collection thus offer different insights into the college’s art offerings.
Trails and events in Grinnell
For getting around Grinnell, the official interactive map shows bike routes and trails within the community. Bikes can be borrowed through Imagine Grinnell’s bike-sharing program. Those interested in a walk focused on history can find another specific starting point with the Grinnell History Hike: it begins at the train station on 3rd Ave.
Nature Explorers is another offering at Diamond Lake. In 2026, free meetings are scheduled every other Tuesday during the school year at the Main Shelter, weather permitting. Since the schedule may change, check the dates before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Grinnell, Deep River, Carnforth, Lyon County, Woodbury, Adair County, Jefferson County and Calhoun County.
For the main travel overview: Iowa.
