Scott: Nature, Lakes and River Landscapes

Scott brings together nature and leisure activities: hiking trails, lakes, river landscapes and winter wildlife watching sit alongside golf and cultural offerings. For trip planning, it’s worth deciding first which activity and season you want. Then you can organize your destinations according to whether you’d rather hike, plan water activities, observe nature or take a self-guided tour.

Hiking Trails and Varied Landscapes

Scott County Park has hiking trails. West Lake Park is a 620-acre facility with four lakes that can be used for fishing and/or swimming. The two nature destinations offer different highlights: hiking trails here, lakes for fishing and swimming there.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center is located on the Wapsipinicon River and covers 225 acres of upland and floodplain forests, grassland and wetlands. These varied landscape types give it a different character from West Lake Park, which is defined by its lakes. When river and site conditions are favorable, visitors can reach the Wapsipinicon River from the center via an environmentally sensitive access point on the River Trail. If you plan to use this access point, check the river and site conditions beforehand.

The areas can also be compared: West Lake Park covers 620 acres, while the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center covers 225 acres. West Lake Park is larger in area; the destinations’ different landscapes and water uses also shape their character.

Water Trails, Winter Wildlife Watching and Places to Spend Time

The Iowa DNR’s Bends to Beaches Water Trail makes a stop in Scott County. If you include it in your trip plans, check conditions and access before setting out. When planning activities on the water, distinguish between the different options: West Lake Park has lakes that can be used for fishing and/or swimming; access from the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center to the Wapsipinicon River depends on river and site conditions; and Bends to Beaches is a water trail that stops in the county. This lets you choose between an activity on the lakes, conditional river access and making the water trail itself your focus.

At LeClaire Levee, a boat ramp, parking and picnic areas are complemented by a veterans memorial. The facility combines opportunities for boating and picnicking with a place of remembrance.

For nature photographers, Lock and Dam 14 offers the best opportunity in winter to observe bald eagles in the continental United States. If you prioritize eagle watching, this gives you a clear seasonal reference point for planning your trip.

Golf and Cultural Experiences

Golf and culture also complement the nature-focused activities. Glynns Creek Golf Course has a large driving range where PGA professionals offer assistance. At Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, a self-guided tour lets you explore the village at your own pace. At the Putnam Museum’s Science Center, visitors can play a laser harp. Exhibits may change; check before your visit to see whether the laser harp is currently available.

The Freedom Rock Tour was created by Freedom Rock artist Ray “Bubba” Sorenson II. It aims to promote tourism and convey appreciation for veterans.

Discover more destinations: Davenport, Bettendorf, Le Claire, Walcott, Eldridge, Montgomery County, Lee County, Plymouth County.

For the broader travel overview: Iowa.