Johnson: Prairie, River Trails and History

Wet prairie, riparian forest and trails along the Iowa River shape the natural side of Johnson County. Historic homes and museums add Iowa’s political and regional history to the picture.

Prairie, Riparian Forest and Distinctive Plant Habitats

The Williams Prairie State Preserve in western Johnson County encompasses 30 acres of wet prairie. More than 300 vascular plant species have been documented there. At Solon Prairie, the area is open to the public as a botanical study area. The 3-acre wet prairie is considered an original prairie that apparently has never been plowed; 105 prairie species have been identified there. At Malinda Reif Reilly Fen and Prairie, 225 plant species have been documented, including rare native species.

In the Clear Creek Area, an 87-acre riparian forest surrounds Clear Creek as a buffer zone. Clear Creek is a tributary of the Iowa River. Cangleska Wakan is a 132-acre park with high-quality oak forest and distinctive architecture. The natural areas therefore differ in the landscapes described: from wet prairies and rare native plants to riparian forest and oak forest.

Trails on Land and Water

The paved Clear Creek Trail is a multi-use trail through the Clear Creek Area. Johnson County Conservation manages a 1.3-mile section from Ireland Avenue to Half Moon Avenue. The Iowa River Trail is a 16-mile paved multi-use trail network connecting Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty.

Two sections of the Hoover Trail are described: one between Ely and Solon is 5.8 miles long, and another between Oasis and West Branch is 3.7 miles long. The Hoover Trail is also part of the Great American Rail-Trail and the American Discovery Trail. The lengths distinguish the two named sections, while the trail’s inclusion in the long-distance trail networks shows its broader route connections.

The Iowa River Water Trail extends 72 miles from Iowa City to Louisa County; 24 miles of it run through Johnson County. Hills Access and River Junction Access serve as put-in or take-out points for the Water Trail. Lake Macbride State Park offers a different kind of water activity: summer activities include kayaking, paddling and swimming. Seasonal conditions may vary.

Homes, History and Exhibitions

Plum Grove Historic Home was built in 1844 as the residence of Robert Lucas, Iowa’s first territorial governor. Its furnishings reflect the Lucas family’s time there in the 1840s and 1850s. The site offers free tours of the home as well as visits to the historic vegetable and flower gardens.

The Old Capitol Museum is a National Historic Landmark. From 1846 to 1857, it served as Iowa’s first state capitol; it was also the founding building of the University of Iowa. The building’s history thus connects its former role as the state capitol with the university’s founding.

At the Johnson County Historical Society Museum, the exhibition “Between Two Rivers: Meskwaki in Johnson County” tells the story of the Meskwaki’s journeys to Johnson County. Since the exhibition program may change, check before your visit to see whether the exhibition is still on display. The museum’s children’s area uses interactive and educational exhibits about Indigenous peoples and pioneers, one-room schools, and agricultural production.

Discover more destinations: Iowa City, North Liberty, Coralville, North Liberty, Cerro Gordo County, Clarke County, Des Moines County, Wapello.

For the main travel overview: Iowa.