The Iowa Park Worth Driving Across The State To Explore
Raymond Goldfield
Author
Iowa’s a big state with a lot of prairie in the middle, and that means there are many corners of the state that even lifelong Iowans might have never discovered. That’s especially common in the rural south of Iowa, where you won’t find any big cities and few major Iowa state parks. That’s where you’ll find what we think is the best secret park in Iowa – a hidden gem called Pioneer Ridge Nature Area. A rustic park filled with cabins, trails, lakes, and some great opportunities to see wildlife, it’s an ideal day trip for those who want to get away from it all. And away from it all is exactly where you’ll be – the park is located about halfway between Ottumwa and Bloomfield, in a beautiful stretch of rural land along Route 63. If you’re in the area, it’s an easy drive – but it’s worth driving from anywhere in the state to see! It’s one of our favorite nature preserves in Iowa.
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Have you visited Pioneer Ridge Nature Area? Tell us about your visit to this beautiful secret park in Iowa in the comments section! You can find out more about the park’s many amenities on the official Wapello County Website. When you’re done with your adventure in nature, head north to Ottumwa for a legendary lunch counter or a stay at the historic Hotel Ottumwa.
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