WanderLoess-Logo5-shadow-1000px

Take a Walk
on the Iowa side

WanderLoess-Logo5-shadow-1000px

Take a Walk Bike Hike Drive
on the Iowa Side

Things to Do

Get outdoors. Visit an art gallery. Eat local food. Our region has myriad opportunities for everyone to discover and enjoy. Start your exploration here! Hover above any of the choices below to learn more about that particular area. Click for a more indepth look at that particular category.

Local Flavor

Nature & Outdoors

Arts & Culture

Local Flavor

Nature & Outdoors

Arts & Culture

Explore the Area

Paddling & Fishing

Back Country Hikes

Lewis & Clark Expedition

Local Locomotives

Get Your Art On

Top Ten Scenic Views

Places to Stay

Hotels & Motels…

You and your family have preferences when choosing a place to stay, and Iowa accommodates. From primitive camping to luxury hotels, we have it all in WanderLoess country!

The links below have comprehensive listings of hotels, motels, and bed & breakfast options:

Best Camping Around…

If its the simple life you need, there’s no place to connect with the great outdoors than the Hills of Iowa.

The Map and Directory page also includes camping options, from tent to RV to cabins.

What’s Happening in Iowa

There is always something going on in Iowa, whatever the season! Head to a local festival, or check out the local concert scene. See below for postings, happenings, and events going on in the area. Click each event for more information.

COMING SOON!
Check back here often for the latest posts and event happenings!

There are no upcoming events at this time.

About Our Organization

Our name explained…

[wän -dər-luhs]

It all started with an Instagram hashtag by some local bicycle riders. WanderLoess is a play on words–“wanderlust” meaning a desire to travel and explore, and “loess” (pronounced ‘luss,’ rhyming with ‘bus’) being our local soils. Wander evokes exploration, curiosity, and learning about local places. We are focused on our local communities which are unlike anywhere else in the world.

Soil is important to every place, but especially so in rural, agricultural areas like Western Iowa. Loess is a German word for “loose” and describes the soils throughout our region. In addition to the globally-significant Loess Hills landform on the eastern edge of the Missouri River Alluvial Plain (floodplain), the Southern Iowa Drift Plain landform to the east of the Loess Hills also consists of deep loess soil deposits.

Our History…

WanderLoess was conceptualized in 2015 during a planning process for Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Mills counties. The project, called the Loess Hills Missouri River Region Parks to People Plan, identified rural arts and cultural program development as a priority for Southwest Iowa.

​The program was initially called “Porchlights” and was envisioned to include “Coordination of talented artisans, naturalists, chefs and performers translates into an exceptional online and off-line events calendar which delivers education, recreation, local food experiences, arts, and entertainment.”

​WanderLoess is a “museum and folk school without walls,” where local residents and visitors can learn about the myriad arts and cultural activities happening throughout the region. We aggregate sites and events in a one-stop shop for all things arts and culture in Southwest Iowa, in addition to hosting a few events of our own.

Who We Are…

Our Mission: To create and promote enhanced connections and destinations of culture, nature, and community for the betterment of all.

Our Vision: An exceptional, preserved landscape framing communities that embrace and integrate culture, history, agriculture, nature, and recreation.

WanderLoess is coordinated by ​Golden Hills RC&D, a grassroots nonprofit based in Oakland, Iowa, as part of the Loess Hills Missouri River Region Parks to People plan. Funding for coordination is provided by Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Mills counties and Iowa West Foundation.

Get in Touch…

We would love to hear from you with any suggested sites or areas to add to our new site. Feel free to drop us an email, give us a ring, or just drop by!

FOLLOW US!

WanderLoess is coordinated by ​Golden Hills RC&D, a grassroots nonprofit based in Oakland, Iowa, as part of the Loess Hills Missouri River Region Parks to People plan. Funding for coordination is provided by Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Mills counties and Iowa West Foundation. With the help of our many partners making this destination dream a reality.

Our Partners

 
 

WanderLoess is coordinated by ​Golden Hills RC&D, a grassroots nonprofit based in Oakland, Iowa, as part of the Loess Hills Missouri River Region Parks to People plan. Funding for coordination is provided by Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Mills counties and Iowa West Foundation. With the help of our many partners making this destination dream a reality.

Our Partners

 
 

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