Upper Iowa River:
plan your visit

INHF photo

Upper Iowa River intro

INHF's role

How to help

Plan your visit

INHF co-sponsored maps of the Upper Iowa River. Designed for canoeists, the maps show river features while providing lots of information about area attractions. This map is free if you pick it up at our office. Or send $1.50 for postage and handling to INHF at 505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 444, Des Moines, IA 50309 to have one mailed to you.

The Upper Iowa River passes through a lovely part of Iowa with many outdoor recreational opportunities and other tourism services and amenities.

Use the links below to help plan your trip.  

www.visitiowa.org
This site is a goldmine of information about the entire northeastern portion of Iowa (including six counties: Allamakee, Clayton, Howard, Fayette, Buchanan, and Winneshiek). Includes great information and interactive searches. 

http://www.traveliowa.com/
The official Iowa tourism site also provides detailed information and interactive searches, not only about this region but about the entire state.

http://www.winneshiekwild.com
The Winneshiek County Conservation Board's site has information on camping, trails, preserves, historic sites, and parks in the area. There are pictures, descriptions, some history, and contacts given, as well as a PDF map of the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail.

http://www.paddling.net/places/showReport.html?316

This Destination Report offers a brief description of the two main sections of the Upper Iowa River and some hints about what seasons to paddle them. The main Iowa page has similar reports for several other Iowa rivers.

http://www.thetent.com/arcadia/ia/iarv_upperiowa.htm
The Arcadian Outdoor Guidebook gives the names and addresses of three different canoeing, kayaking, and rafting outfitters along the Upper Iowa.

http://www.icorrmtb.org/
Iowa Coalition of Off-Road Riders has created a haven site for the adventurous biker. They've done a great job compiling information on difficulty levels, area descriptions, trail maps, facilities and links. Rider feedback on their experiences really adds to the feel you get about each trail. ICORR is a great site for locating trails along the Upper Iowa - and across the state.

www.northeastiowarcd.org
This website contains in-depth descriptions of the watershed, detailed water sampling data from 1999 to present, graphs and maps showing water testing results, maps displaying watershed characteristics, a photo tour of the watershed, publications relating to the watershed, links pertaining to the watershed, and a feedback section that allows visitors to provide comments.