Discover Union County

Mount Pisgah offers a glimpse into Union County’s pioneer history: in 1846, the vanguard party of the Latter-day Saints established a temporary village or way station there to support emigrants in need. The site is a certified historic site on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. Its dual role as a village and station makes Mount Pisgah a distinctive historical subject for a trip exploring the routes and living conditions of emigrants.

Pioneer History and Historic Sites

The Union County Historical Village also has a specific beginning: in 1966, the Lincoln Township #5 schoolhouse was moved to McKinley Park, marking the start of the Village. Today, it maintains 16 buildings with numerous indoor exhibits. The relocation of a particular schoolhouse and the size of the complex offer two different starting points for exploring local history: a dated point of origin and a larger collection of historic buildings and exhibits.

Other cultural attractions can be found side by side in Creston. The Restored Depot was built in 1899 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Uptown Creston also has more than 30 murals on buildings. The offerings range from a clearly dated historic structure to a variety of murals throughout the city. Those interested in architecture and history can thus find different perspectives on Creston, without all the impressions necessarily coming from the same era.

Lakes, Fishing, and Trails

In southwest Iowa, Three Mile Lake, Twelve Mile Lake, Summit Lake, and Green Valley Lake are no more than ten miles apart. Together, they form a hub for lake recreation. For planning purposes, the specific information about Three Mile Lake and Twelve Mile Lake is especially useful: it describes different aspects of fishing and gives each lake its own focus.

Three Mile Lake has ten fishing jetties, and its shoreline is nearly 24 miles long. Year-round fishing opportunities for walleye, largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill are listed for Twelve Mile Lake. The comparison is practical: for the first lake, the number of jetties and the length of the shoreline are the main points; for the second, the year-round fishing opportunities and the fish species listed take center stage. This can help you decide which information matters more for your trip planning.

The trail information also highlights specific differences in length, surface, and use. A paved trail more than eight miles long, for pedestrians and cyclists, runs through McKinley Park in Creston to the Green Valley State Park campground north of Creston. West of Green Valley Lake, the Park to Park Trail connects with six miles of grass trails suitable for hiking or mountain biking. The details about surfaces and uses can help you choose among the trails described based on your preferred activity.

For shooting sports, the High Lakes Outdoor Alliance Shooting Range has five ATA-certified trapshooting fields. This clearly identified trapshooting option complements the lake and trail activities described above.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Union County, it may help to first sort out your interests: Would you like to explore pioneer history and historic sites, focus on fishing and lakes, or plan time on trails for pedestrians, cyclists, and mountain bikers? Details about history, shoreline, fish species, trail lengths, and uses make these options more tangible.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Creston, Pocahontas County, Jasper County, Page County, Carroll, Decatur County, Warren County, Worth County.

For the main travel overview: Iowa.