Loess Hills State Forest

Loess Hills State Forest is situated in west central Iowa and covers just over 11,000 acres. The forest includes four units – the Little Sioux Unit, the Preparation Canyon Unit, the Pisgah Unit, and the Mondamin Unit. Some of the recreational activities within the Loess Hills State Forest include fishing, hiking, picnicking, backpacking, hunting, cross-country skiing, nature and wildlife observation, and more. The Loess Hills provide spectacular views and scenery. The hills were formed thousands of years ago from windblown silt from glacial deposits. The thickness of the loess and differences between the soils are related to the distance from the source of the loess, and form a variety of ecological niches. There is a unique diversity of flora and fauna in the area, due to the changing topography.