One of Iowa’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

When you think about Iowa, you might picture rolling landscapes or green and gold farmland. Islands are certainly not the first geographic feature associated with the Hawkeye State. While the state’s rivers and lakes are dotted with islands, there is only one island that is home to a city. Sabula is a quirky town in Iowa located on an island in the Mississippi River.

Where Is Sabula and Why Is It So Unique

Sabula is a small island town on the Mississippi River located in eastern Iowa’s Jackson County between Dubuque and the Quad Cities. Yet Iowa’s unique island city was not always an island nor was it always called Sabula. 

According to local legend, the city was established when Isaac Dorman crossed the Mississippi River from Illinois on a log and settled on the site in 1835. During the 1830s, the settlement was called Carrollport and then Charleston before being named Sabula in 1846. Its name meaning “sand” is derived from Latin as a tribute to the town’s sandy soil. 

Sabula did not become an island until a century later when the Army Corps of Engineers built a lock and dam system on the Mississippi River. When Lock and Dam Number 13 was completed south of Sabula in 1939, it flooded land around the town and made Sabula an island.

What It’s Like to Visit

Today, Sabula is a peaceful destination that is popular for outdoor recreation on the riverfront. Although its location is uncommon, Sabula is easy to access. From Illinois, you no longer need to cross the river on a log. Simply drive the Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge from Savanna, built in 2017. From Iowa, take Sycamore Street, near the northern terminus of U.S. Route 67, over a causeway lined with lakes straight on to the island. Either way you enter town, you’ll enjoy scenic waterfront views.

It doesn’t take long to explore Sabula, but you can spend endless hours enjoying its outdoor activities. Like most islands, it is best enjoyed when the weather is inviting. Enjoy life on the water at Island City Harbor, whether you are renting a slip, watching the boats, casting a fishing rod, or launching a kayak. The island also features a beach, several parks, and camping facilities. Shop for local souvenirs or stock up on your beach items at Island City Harbor Shop, and fuel up on breakfast and lunch at Island City Cafe. Don’t miss Driscoll’s Island, a rest stop on the causeway, for great views of Sabula.

If you do not want to camp, Sabula offers some special overnight lodging options. Spend the night in a castle at Castle Bed and Breakfast, a historic home overlooking the Mississippi River. Would you rather sleep on the river? Rent a houseboat, like Eagle’s Nest, at the marina and soak in Sabula’s riverfront charm.

Why It’s Still Flying Under the Radar

While Sabula is a popular vacation spot, it is one of the underrated towns in Iowa. It is often a stop for visitors traveling to the Mississippi Palisades State Park, Great River Road, or Quad Cities, rather than a destination in itself. The city of about 500 residents is about one mile long and a quarter mile wide, so its tourism infrastructure is not as robust as that of other Iowa destinations. Yet its singular location and small-town feel are what make Sabula so charming.

Even if you have a limited time, it’s worth stopping to admire Iowa’s island city on a tour of hidden gems in Iowa or small towns in Iowa. For more information on visiting Sabula, stop by the Jackson County Welcome Center west of the town on Highway 64. For more information, check out the City of Sabula’s website and Travel Iowa’s website.