Hickory Hills Park is one of the lesser-known state parks in Iowa, situated in the middle of the rural part of the state between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Located in La Porte City, a town of around 2,200 people, it’s a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy some beautiful Hawkeye State nature. But many people don’t know it’s also a rare wildlife preserve in Iowa, playing host to bison, elk, and rare birds. A great spot for outdoor recreation, and an amazing opportunity to spy some unusual animals from the safety of your car, it’s one of the state’s most underrated attractions – and unlike most of the state’s other animal attractions, it’s completely free!

A popular spot for fishing and hiking, Hickory Hills Park is also a hidden haven for animal lovers.
Linda Burdette/Google Local
That's because this beautiful rural park is an animal sanctuary for some of Iowa's rarer native wildlife - you'll see deer here, but also some big surprises.
Hickory Hills Park/Facebook
The park is a bird haven, and the many geese and ducks have some unusual company.
Hickory Hills Park/Facebook
Wild turkeys are a common sight, as are pheasants and quail. The staff also runs a bird rescue to rehabilitate injured wild birds found on the grounds.
Hickory Hills Park/Facebook

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The larger animals are even more impressive, and you'll frequently see families of Elk safely behind enclosures.
Hickory Hills Park/Facebook
Of course, no animal at Hickory Hills Park is as impressive as the bison - the undisputed king of the prairie!
Hickory Hills Park/Facebook
These majestic beasts were once plentiful around the heartland, but their numbers have been massively reduced. At Hickory Hills, they have a safe place to grow their numbers in peace - and you can see them safely as you drive by.
Todd Baysinger/Google Local
A long day at Hickory Hills Park is a beautiful and peaceful experience, and you never know which animals you'll see on any given visit.
Roger/Google Local

Have you visited Hickory Hills Park in La Porte City? Let us know what you did and which animals you saw at this hidden wildlife preserve in Iowa. To learn more about what the park’s many features, you can visit the official state website and Facebook page. For another animal adventure in Iowa, make sure to check out this unforgettable visit to a llama farm.

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Hickory Hills Park, 3338 Hickory Hills Rd, La Porte City, IA 50651, USA