An island on the Mississippi River offers a hiking experience like no other. The Smith’s Island Recreation Area is a place near LeClaire Iowa that offers an easy hike that’s simply amazing. The island is teeming with migratory birds and wildlife, it offers incredible views of an engineering marvel and it’s home to old ruins that offer a glimpse of the island’s interesting past. Ready to explore Smith’s Island Recreation Area? Read on to see what you’ll encounter on the trail.

The trail will take you across a lock, through an open picnic area, across a causeway and into tranquil woods.
AllTrails/Sheryl Hyatt
The trail is an easy walk – it’s less than two miles long. The trail is flanked by some informative interpretive signs. You’ll also encounter a prairie restoration project.
AllTrails/Nikki Jones
You’ll likely encounter some wildlife on your hike. If you have binoculars, you might want to bring them. The island is home to a lot of birds – some live here all year, others are migratory birds that you can just see seasonally. In the winter, a lot of bald eagles flock to the island. The island is also a popular fishing spot all year long.
AllTrails/Bradley Smith

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The Island offers sweeping views of Lock & Dam 14. The Lock & Dam opened in 1938 and it’s massive – the movable portion of the dam is 1,343 feet long. It has 13 tainter gates and four roller gates.
AllTrails/Sheryl Hyatt
In the woods, you’ll see some mysterious ruins. They are the remains of a farmstead that once belonged to John Hoepfner. When Hoepfner lived here, he would use a hand-pulled ferry to get his buggy to shore so he could get to town for supplies. The buildings and ferry are long gone, but you can see the foundation of the farmstead.
AllTrails/Sheryl Hiatt
This is what is left of Hoepfner’s root cellar.
AllTrails/Dean Wood

Smith Island is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and because there is a working lock and dam here, there are a few rules that are outlined on signs on the property. Be sure to be mindful of restricted areas on either side of the public area. Interested in more Iowa island adventures? Here’s an island town you have to visit.

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