Waterloo, Iowa is a popular tourist destination with a rich cultural scene and some beautiful natural destinations. Located on the banks of the Cedar River, you’ll find many charming spots for camping and fishing during the warmer months – but there’s one spot that very few people go anymore. Sans Souci Island, an abandoned island in Iowa, used to be one of Waterloo’s many vacation destinations. It was home to a hotel, and countless tourists sailed over every year. But after a series of floods, those days are long past – and nature has begun the slow process of reclaiming Sans Souci Island. Unlike many abandoned spots, it is not considered dangerous and can be accessed by foot, so you can discover its secrets for yourself.

Sans Souci Island is clearly visible from the skies over waterloo - but the island definitely isn't what it used to be.
City of Waterloo
The park is still accessible by foot or boat, but it's been largely abandoned since 2008 - meaning there are no utilities or facilities on the island. You're heading into wild country, only feet from Waterloo proper.
Nina Grant/Google Local
The island used to be home to residential houses and even a thriving hotel - but it was also uniquely vulnerable to floods because of its location. And in 2008, nature came calling.
Nina Grant/Google Local

Related Stories

Visit These 9 Creepy Ghost Towns In Iowa At Your Own Risk

Visit These 9 Creepy Ghost Towns In Iowa At Your Own Risk

 The Abandoned Campus Building In Iowa With Ties To A Famous Painter

The Abandoned Campus Building In Iowa With Ties To A Famous Painter

 The Incredible Hotel In Iowa That Has Been Left In Ruins

The Incredible Hotel In Iowa That Has Been Left In Ruins
Massive floodwaters forced the island's residents to evacuate, and the houses were demolished. You'll now only find a few remnants of what was once here.
Coalfather/Wikipedia
What you will find is unspoiled nature, which is rare within city limits. You'll regularly see herds of deer munching on the local flora.
Jacob Hackbarth/Google Local
The old stone stairs which residents used to make their way around the island are showing their age, so approach with caution.
Jacob Hackbarth/Google Local
However, Sans Souci Island still attracts visitors - primarily outdoorsy types and fishing fans who love the quiet and peaceful nature of the island, which they often have all to themselves.
Coalfather/Wikipedia

Have you explored Sans Souci Island in Waterloo? Let us know what you found on this abandoned island in Iowa in the comments section. To find out more about the plans for this site, you can visit the official Waterloo website. For another remnant of Iowa’s past, head to Independence for this underground secret.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Iowa

Featured Addresses
Sans Souci Island, Waterloo, IA 50701, USA