Tucked away along the shores of Lake Red Rock, away from the hustle and bustle of town, is an old observation tower that looms high above the surrounding landscape. It’s the Cordova Tower in Otley, Iowa, and although it takes a little traveling to get there, this secluded spot is certainly worth seeking out – for both the adventure and the view. Worth seeking out, that is, as long as you’ve got some spare quarters jingling in your pocket and aren’t afraid of heights.

Did you know that Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake? And did you know that there are six old ghost towns buried beneath its watery depths? One of these old, flooded communities is the town of Cordova.
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And while you can no longer visit the town, except perhaps by scuba diving, you can still visit Cordova Park to climb the old Cordova water tower.
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Since it's no longer needed to store water, it's been converted into a giant observation platform.
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From the top, you'll get one of the best views of Lake Red Rock to be had. Plus, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Des Moines!
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The Cordova Observation Tower is located in Otley, Iowa, on the north side of Lake Red Rock's mile-long bridge. It's about 15 minutes west of downtown Pella. The tower has 170 steps from base to top, so just be prepared for a good leg workout.
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Those 170 steps make this tower the tallest observation tower in the midwest!
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Also note that the only way to enter the tower to climb those steps is via a turnstile gate that only accepts quarters - it will cost you fifty cents to unlock the turnstile and pass through to the inside perimeter of the tower's fence.
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If you're not quite ready to be done adventuring once you've climbed the Cordova Tower, take some time to explore the hiking trails that are accessible from the Cordova Tower parking area.
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To learn more, visit the Cordova Park website. For another fun Iowa adventure, try a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque!

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Cordova Observation Tower, 1293 Emerald Drive, Otley, IA 50214, USA