Discover Guthrie: Nature, Culture, and Landscapes

Guthrie offers a range of themes to consider when planning a trip: forest and prairie areas, waterfront destinations, historic sites, and scenic routes. When searching for hotels in Guthrie, the focus of your planned outings can help guide your choice. Guthrie County’s conservation and recreation areas cover more than 1,010 acres.

Nature Between Forest and Prairie

Sutcliffe Woodland is a 55-acre oak-hickory area and wildlife refuge. Its self-guided nature trail features 31 stations. There are also opportunities for picnicking, hiking, and pond fishing. The area therefore combines a trail with stations and several different activities.

Springbrook State Park covers 930 acres in Guthrie County; rolling hills and mature trees shape its landscape. Sheeder Prairie State Preserve features a different landscape type: its 25-acre prairie is characterized by prairie grasses. The preserve was designated a state biological preserve in 1968. More than 200 plant species grow there, including 30 grasses. There are also 69 bird species, 25 of which nest there regularly.

A 81-acre park on the west side of Highway P28 features a one-mile self-guided nature trail. This means trails of different lengths are available alongside the county’s larger natural and recreation areas.

Lake Panorama and Waterways

Lake Panorama, north of Panora, has three beaches and designated swimming areas. Other listed amenities include boat docks, restrooms, playgrounds, grills, picnic tables, and shelters. These details make the range of options at the lake clear: swimming, picnicking, and spending time at the playground are all part of what it offers.

Route A of the Middle Raccoon River Water Trail covers approximately 36.5 river miles.

Scenic Byways and Historic Routes

The Western Skies Scenic Byway is 140 miles long and runs through the four counties of Guthrie, Audubon, Shelby, and Harrison. It begins in Stuart in southern Guthrie County. Along the byway, M&M Divide is about 7 miles west of Guthrie Center, at an elevation of 1,440 feet. From there, expansive views extend across terraced slopes and deep valleys.

Another historic route is the 26-mile White Pole Road Scenic Byway. It follows the old U.S. Highway 6 between Adair and Dexter and is lined with more than 500 white-painted telephone poles.

Nineteen interpretive signs along the Newton Stagecoach Trail are maintained by Guthrie County Historical Village. Guided tours are offered occasionally.

Places and Remnants of County History

Guthrie County Historical Village and Museum is located on a 4-acre site in Panora. The complex includes 12 buildings, a Milwaukee caboose, a Pullman observation and café car, as well as exhibits and artifacts. The railroad cars and museum buildings give the site several distinct historical points of interest.

Dalmanutha was established in 1855 and was an important trading post on the Western Coach Stage Line. The Porter Hotel was a well-known stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, nothing remains of the settlement except the cemetery.

The Standing Soldier Monument stands on the grounds of the Guthrie County Courthouse. The 20-foot-tall white bronze monument bears the engraved names of more than 700 veterans.

Art and Local Markets

The sculpture “Listen to the Wind” in Guthrie Center is part of the 15-piece “Art on the Byway” series and is illuminated at night. A mural by Chad Elliott on the Guthrie Center fire department building measures 8 by 24 feet. It explores history and the future and honors the importance of agriculture in Guthrie County; it can be seen along the Western Skies Scenic Byway.

The Chad Elliott Mural depicts the Middle Raccoon River flowing through the rolling hills south of Coon Rapids. More than 30 barn quilts are preserved as part of the Guthrie County Barn Quilt Project, and residents and visitors can view them.

Farmers markets in Guthrie County give local gardeners, bakers, craftspeople, and nonprofit organizations an opportunity to sell their goods.

Discover more destinations: Jamaica, Lee County, Hamilton County, Mitchell County, Marion County, Marshall, Howard County, Lyon County.

For the main travel overview: Iowa.