Story: Nature, Trails and Heritage

A distinctive starting point for planning a trip to Story is the section of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail in Story County: Since late 2024, it has been fully paved, forming a continuous 21-mile concrete corridor connecting Slater, Huxley, Cambridge, Maxwell and Collins. If the current surface is important to your plans, check local trail information before setting out. Between Huxley and Cambridge, themed artwork in the Monarch Tunnel celebrates the Monarch Highway.

Trails Between River and History

The Skunk River Greenbelt connects nature and local history. Where possible, it follows an old stagecoach route that linked early settlements in the valley. Soper’s Mill is a historic site in the Greenbelt. The valley provides habitat for otters, turkeys, deer, small mammals and songbirds; however, sightings of any particular animals are not guaranteed.

Activities in the Greenbelt include hiking, mountain biking on unpaved trails, horseback riding, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing and kayaking. The South Skunk River Water Trail has 11 access points; Story County Conservation manages eight of them. Conditions at individual access points can change, so it is advisable to check the information for the relevant access point in advance.

Compare Trail Lengths and Park Profiles

At Hickory Grove Park, an approximately three-mile hiking loop runs around the lake on limestone gravel. Cross-country skiing is also offered there in winter. The nearly one-mile Touch-a-Life Trail at McFarland Park leads to accessible lakeside facilities: a fishing pier, an observation deck and accessible picnic areas.

At the 103-acre Dakins Lake Park, two lakes offer a combined 20 acres of open water. Two miles of trails also run along Dakins Lake and are used for hiking and mountain biking on unpaved trails. Peterson Park offers 3.7 miles of trails open to mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. The approximately three miles at Hickory Grove Park, two miles at Dakins Lake and 3.7 miles at Peterson Park offer different trail distances to consider when planning your day.

Peterson Park is also home to McMichael Pioneer Cemetery and sections of the Stagecoach Trail (East Peterson). Visitors wishing to combine park trails with cultural history can find both within the same park. However, the trails differ in length and use: Peterson Park offers several activities, while the Hickory Grove loop specifically runs around the lake.

Prairie, Seasonal Activities and Wildlife Watching

The Praeri Rail Trail is a 10.5-mile recreational corridor. Summer activities include hiking, cycling, jogging and horseback riding. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are possible in winter; snowmobiles are permitted when there is sufficient snow cover, while all other motorized vehicles are prohibited. The Ed Powell Wildlife Area, with about 17 acres of restored prairie crossed by a small stream, is located along the trail. Hiking, walking, birdwatching and geocaching are possible there.

Robison Wildlife Acres is a wildlife area with nature trails through grassland and woodland. Hunting and trapping are not permitted there. The area is also considered a popular place for spring wildflower walks. At Doolittle Prairie, open landscape meets wetland: this 40-acre pothole prairie, with its depressional areas, provides valuable habitat for wetland wildlife.

From May through September, the county holds monthly guided walks at Doolittle Prairie each year, called “Evening Walks on the Prairie.” Dates and details may vary; check current event information before your trip. Story County parks are generally open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified. Different rules at individual parks take precedence, so it is worth checking the information for the park you plan to visit.

River Landscapes and Culture in Story County

In and along the South Skunk River in Story County, you can find rounded glacial erratics, large granite blocks and gravel. These geological features offer a different perspective on the area than trails through prairie, woodland and Greenbelt. For planning purposes, you can consider the river, wildlife areas and park trails as distinct nature experiences rather than combining them into a single landscape experience.

Cultural offerings extend beyond the trails: Museums of Story City supports four museums, an extensive collection and educational programs. In Ames, Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyard produces hybrid wines from its own grapes. Alongside nature and parks, museum culture and winemaking offer their own distinct facets of these destinations.

Discover more destinations: Nevada, Ames, Story City, Kossuth County, Jefferson County, Carroll, Winneshiek County, Pottawattamie.

For the overview of the wider region: Iowa.