Fall Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Harmon Lake Wildlife Area In Iowa

As fall foliage season in Iowa hits full swing, people are on the lookout for hidden gems to enjoy the season. Well, it doesn't get any more remote than Harmon Lake Wildlife Area, located in rural Winnebago County and closer to the Minnesota border than to the nearest Iowa town. Winnebago County is a very spread-out place, but this remote park in Iowa is unknown even to many locals. Nearly a thousand acres of prairie-wetland complex, it's a common spot for research of the rich ecosystem - as well as for hunters and anglers to enjoy the bounty of the area without too much competition or crowds. As fall settles in, this area is even more beautiful than it usually is, and the rich flora and fauna can be enjoyed like no other time of year.

Winnebago County is one of the most rural counties in Iowa, with its most populous city, Forest City, having only 4,285 residents.

But we're really heading off the beaten path today - way off the beaten path - to Harmon Lake Wildlife Area, a hidden gem of a game management area that was previously used for government studies on the lady's slipper orchid.

Today, it's best known for its wide ecosystem of birds, fish, and small mammals. The sight of a Trumpeter Swan here is a true gem for birding enthusiasts.

For those more interested in hunting, this is a great place to catch fish or go shooting for pheasant or duck.

It might be in the middle of nowhere - but you're actually not far from a unique restaurant.

Vinje's Pub and Grub is half restaurant, half neighborhood hangout, and all fun.

In the clubby dining room with a pool table, you can dig into pork tenderloin, burgers, or some of the best onion rings in Winnebago County.

Have you visited Harmon Lake Wildlife Area in Winnebago County? Have you ever even heard of this remote park in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can find out more about the area on the official Iowa DNR press release about the park's fall season. Vinje Pub & Grub also keeps a low profile, but the restaurant does have an active Facebook page. While you're in Winnebago County, why not drop by the region's most famous corporate resident for a Winnebago factory tour? You'll be doing a lot of driving, so make sure to pack some snacks!