Jasper County Between Prairie, Lakes and History

Discover Jasper County through its diverse natural and recreational destinations: native prairie, wooded hills, lakes and historic sites. Depending on what you want to do, you can focus on landscapes and trails, water activities or cultural history.

Prairie, Forest and Protected Areas

A.C. and Lela Morris Prairie is one of the county’s few remaining native tallgrass prairie areas. Kish-Ke-Kosh Prairie is also a native, unplowed protected area. Its soil consists of wind-deposited sand and loess from Iowa’s last ice age. Its name recalls Chief Kish-Ke-Kosh, the leader of a Fox group associated with Chiefs Black Hawk and Keokuk.

Woodland and hills define Ashton Wildwood Park, where oaks and hickory trees grow across 113 acres. A self-guided trail is half a mile long; a brochure available at the trailhead explains the route. The observatory in the park offers free public programs. Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve covers 450 acres and is both a park and a nature preserve. Access to the preserve is a quarter mile north of the Lynnville exit off I-80; public fishing access is available at Ahrens Access.

Lakes and Outdoor Activities

At Rock Creek State Park, a five-mile bike trail connects the park with Grinnell. Boats and paddling equipment are available for rent through the park concessionaire. Mariposa Recreation Area covers 151 acres and includes an 18-acre lake among pine-covered hills. Visitors can fish, camp, picnic and hike there, and a nature playground is available for children.

The 480-acre Quarry Springs Park, with its lakes, is near Colfax. Possible activities include largemouth bass fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Kayaks are available for rent during the summer months. The specific offerings therefore vary by location: Mariposa offers camping, picnicking and hiking as well as fishing, while canoeing and kayaking are mentioned at Quarry Springs Park. You can plan your outings around the activities that matter for your stay.

History, Motorsports and More Destinations

Wagaman Mill, also known as Old Mill, was built in 1848. It served as a sawmill, carding mill, gristmill, feed mill and power-generation facility. To reach the mill, take I-80 exit 179 and then head south on T-38. Colfax’s artesian mineral springs were discovered in 1875. At the Colfax Historical Society and Museum, you’ll find exhibits on mineral water bottling and hotel advertising, souvenirs and memorabilia, a canvas tent house once made in Colfax, a vintage automobile and a fiberglass buffalo. The Jasper County Historical Society museum campus also includes an agricultural building.

Colfax has hosted the Jasper County Fair since 1936. The fair is free, and its program is seasonal. Colfax Women’s Club Park has a playground, a shelter and a stage. Golfers can visit Colfax Country Club’s 9-hole course, which measures 2,980 yards from the longest tees and is a par 36. Van Wijk Winery is on the Heartland/I-80 Wine Trail.

Newton also offers trails and recreational destinations: an eight-mile hiking and biking trail connects Maytag Park, Aurora Park, Agnes Patterson Park and/or Newton Arboretum, and Woodland Park. Iowa Speedway in Newton is a state-of-the-art paved tri-oval motorsports facility measuring seven-eighths of a mile. Take I-80 exit 168, then Iowa Speedway Drive, to get there.

When looking for a hotel in Jasper County, you can start by considering which of these interests will shape your trip: nature and trails, water activities, history, golf or motorsports.

Discover more destinations: Colfax, Newton, Woodbury, Decatur County, Marshall, Hancock County, Sioux County, Union County.

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