Iowa Parks and State Forests (Council Bluffs, Sidney: hotels, calculation, camping)

[WILWRadio]

Hello. Currently I live in Kansas City and I am looking for a good place to hike on unpaved trails within a 3 hour drive of Kansas City. I would rather hike in Iowa than Missouri because the heat and humidity won't be quite as bad. I'd like to find a place that offers peace and solitude and few if any other hikers. Also, I'd like to avoid park fees if possible.

Can anyone recommend any trails in any parks within a 3 hour drive of KC that meet these criteria?

[Stevie]

My best suggestion would be the Loess Hills State Forest in western Iowa. It's very close to I-29 and a bit north of Council Bluffs. According to Mapquest, it's a bit further than 3 hours from Kansas City, but still less than 4 hours. I think it really fits what you're looking for.

Here are a couple links:

Loess Hills State Forest
Loess Hills State Forest

P.S. I'm not sure about park fees though, sorry.

[WILWRadio]

Thanks for the links Stevie. I can probably get there in about 3 and a quarter hours. I think that is acceptable. I'll call the number listed to see if there are any fees for hiking or parking.

[Stevie]

You're welcome!

Actually, Mapquest says it's 3 hours and 45 minutes from KC to Pisgah, IA. The reason I chose Pisgah is because it's right in that area of the state forest. It would be 30 more minutes than 3 and a quarter hours, but you'll have full interstate access for almost the entire trip at least.

Here's the calculation and directions:

Driving Directions from Kansas City, MO to Pisgah, IA

[Dport7674]

with the heat index, it's over 100 today. can't imagine missouri is any worse.

[WILWRadio]

Yeah, I've been checking the weather in some areas of Iowa along with here in KC and right now the difference in the Heat Index is minimal at best. The Heat Index in the KC area has been around 107 to 110 the last few days. I'll wait until the heat breaks before taking the trek to Iowa to hike.

[thatguy1]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

Yeah, I've been checking the weather in some areas of Iowa along with here in KC and right now the difference in the Heat Index is minimal at best. The Heat Index in the KC area has been around 107 to 110 the last few days. I'll wait until the heat breaks before taking the trek to Iowa to hike.

I would definitely check out Waubonsie(spelling?) State Park in Iowa. It has a lookout where you can actually see parts in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and I'm not sure about Kansas.

It's in between Hamburg and Sidney, IA right off I-29. Plenty of campgrouds also if you plan to camp.

IA DNR: State Parks,Waubonsie State Park

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by burgerflipper

I would definitely check out Waubonsie(spelling?) State Park in Iowa. It has a lookout where you can actually see parts in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and I'm not sure about Kansas.

It's in between Hamburg and Sidney, IA right off I-29. Plenty of campgrouds also if you plan to camp.

IA DNR: State Parks,Waubonsie State Park

This looks every bit as good as the park that Stevie mentioned. I will look into this as well.

I don't have my camping gear with me right now because it is in storage with most of my personal possessions i.e. furniture a good 300 miles from here. If I decide to do an overnight I'll stay in a local motel.

It looks like there are far better hiking opportunities within spitting distance of Omaha than Kansas City. Wish I had known that when I lived there.

[thatguy1]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

This looks every bit as good as the park that Stevie mentioned. I will look into this as well.

I don't have my camping gear with me right now because it is in storage with most of my personal possessions i.e. furniture a good 300 miles from here. If I decide to do an overnight I'll stay in a local motel.

It looks like there are far better hiking opportunities within spitting distance of Omaha than Kansas City. Wish I had known that when I lived there.

Yeah, there are some really nice trails at Waubonsie and I assume the park Stevie mentioned as well. Within 5 minutes from Waubonsie is the I29 exit where there are new truckstops with restaurants and hotels if you dont plan on camping. fyi

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by burgerflipper

Yeah, there are some really nice trails at Waubonsie and I assume the park Stevie mentioned as well. Within 5 minutes from Waubonsie is the I29 exit where there are new truckstops with restaurants and hotels if you dont plan on camping. fyi

Excellent. Thanks for the lead. After finding these places on a map I will definitely do an overnight when I go to Pisgah and may do a day trip to Waubonsie because it is only a two hour or so drive from KC. But if I wind up wiped out after hiking for several miles I'll probably do an overnight near Waubonsie.