Howard County: Prairies, Trails and History

Howard County offers a variety of destinations for a stay: protected prairie areas, trails for different activities, and historic places in Cresco and Elma. To start planning, consider whether nature, a particular route, or history will be the focus of your days. The places described differ in their themes and the trails they offer, so you can make your choices based on your interests.

Prairies, Water and Winter Trails

Hayden Prairie State Preserve is the largest prairie in Iowa outside the Loess Hills. More than 200 plant species grow there. Crossman Prairie offers a different view of the prairie: this 10-acre preserve protects a remnant of tallgrass prairie and provides habitat for more than 120 plant species. Both areas bring the prairie landscape of Howard County to life, but differ in size and the vegetation described.

Lake Hendricks Park also brings together several nature and recreational offerings in one place. The park includes a 54-acre artificial lake, as well as a 0.4-mile self-guided nature trail and a 150-foot beach for unsupervised swimming. If you plan to visit the beach, check the latest information about swimming conditions before your trip.

For a winter visit, Prairie Springs Nature Center south of Cresco has ten kilometers of cross-country ski trails and five kilometers of snowshoe trails. Trail-grooming conditions vary by season. The Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail offers a different perspective on the landscape: it crosses the Wapsipinicon River, Watson's Creek and Lake Hendricks. Its southern section runs for more than 12 miles through Howard County to the city limits of Elma.

Choose Trails by Length and Starting Point

In Riceville, the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail trailhead is at 110 East Main Street, near U.S. Highway 9. Check the local signs before you arrive. For a paved route, the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail runs 3.5 miles from downtown Cresco at Balk Park to Vernon Springs.

The 5.3-mile section of the Old Roundhouse Trail runs from Elma to Acme and along the edge of Lylah's Marsh and Park. In Elma, the trailhead and Welcome Center are in the northern depot area near the covered bridge, in the town center on Busti Avenue. You can take trail length and starting point into account when planning, along with the different winter activities at Prairie Springs Nature Center. Since the route may change, check the latest trail information before setting out.

Architecture, History and Visitor Services

Several buildings in Cresco tell different chapters of the town's history. Kellow House was built in 1880 in the Second Empire style and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Howard County Courthouse also dates from 1880; it was added to the register in 1981. Cresco Theatre was built in 1914 and opened with live entertainment in 1915. For this building, the two years therefore refer to its construction and opening.

The Norman Borlaug Boyhood Farm is now home to a Sears kit house, a barn built in 1927, and New Oregon #8 School. The Norman Borlaug farms are open to visitors without fixed hours. If you would like a tour, make arrangements in advance. At the Cresco Welcome Center, you can get maps, brochures, tours and visitor information about Cresco, Howard County, northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota.

The Welcome Center is also home to the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, the only museum honoring Iowans who have contributed to amateur wrestling. Outside, a 40-foot mural celebrates wrestling in Cresco and Iowa. It connects the Hall of Fame's theme with public art without suggesting that separate places are one and the same.

Events Throughout the Year

The Cresco Fine Arts Show takes place every year on the first Sunday in August and is one of Iowa's longest-running outdoor art shows. Stock car races are regularly held at Cresco Speedway from May through September; schedules may change. Old Roundhouse Trail Days offers a weekend of music, food and entertainment, and commemorates Elma's railroad history. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the published dates and programs in advance.

Whether you want to focus on prairie areas, a particular trail length, winter activities or historic places, Howard County's destinations offer different ways to shape your stay. Choose the highlights that suit your itinerary, and keep the time frames for seasonal offerings in mind.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cresco, Riceville, Pottawattamie, Fayette County, Jackson, Floyd County, Wapello, O'brien County.

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