The Loess Hills in western Iowa is a place like no other. It’s an area of dramatic hills that stretches about 200 miles, from north of Sioux City, Iowa to near St. Joseph, Missouri. Many of the hills offer dramatic vistas but for an even better view, head to the Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek. Here, you’ll find an observation tower that has one of the best views in the Loess Hills region.

Read on to see why you need to climb to the top of Hitchcock Nature Center’s tower.

The Loess Hills are made up of windblown soils that were deposited at the end of the last ice age. Wind picked up soil that had been ground as fine as flour and spread it into a large area of dunes along a river that would become the Missouri River.
Alltrails / Mark Johnston
The dunes are popular with hikers and nature lovers. They offer a chance to experience a native prairie and take in some expansive views of western Iowa. In many spots, you can see for miles.
AllTrails / Luke Azverde
For the best view, head to the Hitchcock Nature Center. This center has over 1,200 acres of protected land and it's home to the Loess Hills Lodge Interpretive Facility.
AllTrails / Glorianne Andersen

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The facility has an exhibit gallery, welcome desk, gift shop, restroom facility, observation deck and tower. The tower is 45-feet-tall and it delivers some impressive views.
Alltrails / Mark Johnston
Volunteers scale the tower each year for a Hawk Watch to count eagles, hawks, and other raptors as they migrate south.
Hitchcock Nature Center
The birds are incredible to see, but if even if you miss the hawk and eagle migration you still might catch an impressive show.
AllTrails / Shawn Ferguson

The Hitchcock Nature Center is located in far western Iowa, a few miles from the Nebraska border. It’s about 15 miles from Omaha. Once you’ve taken in the beauty of the Loess Hills, here are some more gorgeous places in Iowa you should visit.

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Hitchcock Nature Center, 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542, USA