The Ancient Forest In Iowa That’s Right Out Of A Storybook
When it comes to natural beauty, Iowa is full of wonders that will take your breath away. We all know about Pikes Peak, the Loess Hills, and Maquoketa Caves, but how often do you discover some place that’s been hiding this whole time? The Kuehn Conservation Area is an 800 acre preserved forest with hiking trails and educational displays, and it’s been dedicated to helping tell the story of the Native Americans that once called this home.
There is a beautiful hidden gem is right in the shadow of our largest city - just half an hour from Des Moines, you'll find an incredible natural wonder that's been hiding in plain sight.
Explore the breathtaking Kuehn Conservation Area, where you'll find hundreds of acres of untouched natural beauty waiting to be found. This land was home to Native Americans for centuries, and has been dedicated to help commemorate their heritage
At the center of the park, you'll find a few educational displays that help tell the stories of the Native Americans that once lived on this land. There's even a teepee here.
Every year, the Kuehn Conservation Area shows off its history and heritage at the Prairie Awakens Celebration, hosted by local Native American activists. This pow-wow and celebration is open to the public and is held the weekend after Labor Day.
So go ahead, take some time and drive out to Dallas County, where you'll find one of the state's best natural wonders hiding right in plain sight. Kuehn Conservation Area is truly a gem.
You can find the Kuehn Conservation Area at 32849 Houston Trail, Earlham, IA 50072. They do offer primitive camping sites if you’d like to make a longer trip out of your visit!
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
