DECATUR COUNTY
This was yet another county full of surprises. Being honest, I’ve driven through, or rather past this county more times I can count and until my visits to some of it’s parks could recommend very little about it except for the wonderful amish shop, just off I-35 at the Lamoni exit. Located in south central Iowa, if you’ve ever made the trip to Kansas City from Des Moines, you too have passed through this modest landscape.
Dissected by interstate I-35, venturing beyond the four lane may seem like a rather rural and tedious adventure but if you have the time and the willingness to look past the farm fields and venture into some of its public lands you may discover, like I did, a county full of history, stunning lakes, miles of well kept hiking trails and some of the most peaceful parks around.
Trailside Historical Park
Located along the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, this 3 acre park reminded me very much of Mt. Pisgah in Union County. A small cemetery marks the resting place for the Mormon pioneers who settled Garden Grove, Iowa. Surrounded by farm fields, prairie and woods, and overlooking Weldon River, you can’t help but want to linger and soak up the peace and quiet.
Picnic Shelter
Historic Site
Parking
Little River Recreation Area
I really do try and not play favorites and I do confess my time here was very limited but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the scenes that surrounded me at Little River. From the wildlife to the still striking November fall foliage that surrounded the 787 acre lake, I have every intention of paying this veritable playground another visit. It covers the gamut in amenities…campground, cabins, fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, even archery!
Campground
Hiking
Restrooms
Parking
Picnic Tables
Boat Ramp
Fishing
Beach
Slip Bluff Park
Years ago when our kids were little we visited Slip Bluff on chilly Easter Sunday. It was a family reunion of sorts and with little ones running around I paid little attention to park itself. Going back all these years later was slightly bittersweet, since those littles are now full grown but also I was not expecting a nice lake, a birds-eye view of I-35, the quiet or how very much I would enjoy exploring the 2.5 miles of wooded trails.
Hiking
Fishing
Campground
Scenic Overlook