The corners of Iowa aren’t its most-known areas, and many Hawkeye State residents may have never even explored them. You’ll find tiny towns, near-empty parks – and occasionally, a stunning secret or two. That’s the case for the northwestern corner of Iowa, where the nearest town is tiny Larchwood. While the quiet town of under a thousand people might not advertise itself much, it’s actually a hidden gem – because it’s home to the unique Gitchie Manitou State Preserve, as well as a hidden resort in Iowa that is on the South Dakota border. Together, these two unlikely encounters make Larchwood a hidden gem – and make taking a pilgrimage to the very northwestern point of Iowa a bucket-list item for anyone who wants to fully explore Iowa.

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Have you taken the trip to Larchwood in the northwestern corner of Iowa? Let us know about your visit to this unique park and hidden resort in Iowa in the comments section. If you’re planning a trip, you can visit the state website for Gitchie Manitou to learn more about the park, and the website and Facebook page of Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort to learn all about its features. For another far-flung destination in Iowa, check out this campground restaurant with famous cheese curds.

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