Fall Foliage Series: Hitchcock Nature Center
We interrupt this blog series about my recent road trip to focus for a week or so on a very important and timely topic, at least in my mind. 😉 Those of you who know me well know that I am crazy about Autumn and the changing colors of the leaves. Because this occurrence happens when my kids are in school I have not been able to take many trips to see the changing leaves around the US and the world, but it is definitely on my bucket list. Since I still have a child in school, my leaf peeping road trips and travels will mostly have to wait until at least next year or longer.
The great news, though, is that there are many lovely places within the Midwest that are an easy and beautiful drive in the fall. My husband and I went to one of those places today. It is a county park in southwest Iowa called Hitchcock Nature Center and it is a spectacular place to see the leaves and foliage put on an ever-changing but gorgeous show in the Loess Hills in the Fall.
Hitchcock Nature Area includes several overlooks and a wonderful visitor center with an attached, sturdy lookout tower that can be climbed for even more spectacular views. It has been years since I have been there, and even longer since I climbed to the top of the tower myself. When I have been there with my kids, the park has always been busy and I didn’t want to hold up my family while I climbed (rather slowly) to the top. But since it was just my husband and me today and it was a very quiet and pleasant Monday, it was the perfect time to climb the tower and take lots of beautiful pictures. We encountered less than 10 people the entire time we were at the visitor center and only one person at the top. From the top, you can spot numerous farm fields in various stages of harvest, the contrasting beauty of the trees and gently rolling hills of the Loess hills, and a distant, but visible, Omaha skyline. Many birds and hawks may also be seen and heard from the Lookout Tower and the visitor center. There are numerous trails to explore with your companions, including at least one accessible one. The park even includes a very nice play area, complete with nearby restrooms and a picnic shelter near the entrance. Here is a map of the park. The fee to enjoy the park is a very reasonable five dollars per vehicle payable near the entrance. Bargain! 🤑
If you decide to visit, I would recommend an “off” time, such as during the week or early in the day on a weekend. I do know that the park gets VERY busy on Fall weekends in early October and parking is limited. If you wish to hike, be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and insect repellant. I’d recommend stopping at Casey’s Convenience Store in Crescent, Iowa for drinks and possibly snacks or picnic food. If you would like to try a local restaurant, Henry’s Diner in Crescent comes recommended by folks we know. Today the parking lot of the restaurant was crammed full at lunchtime, so it seems others agree. My husband and I stopped at another local favorite, Christy Crème, on the northern edge of Council Bluffs for ice cream. You can also get hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, etc… there too. They have one special ice cream flavor every day, in addition to chocolate and vanilla. My husband had a huckleberry ice cream cone that he said was really tasty.
No matter what you decide to do you can make it a fun activity for yourself and/or for anyone you’re with! Get out there and take advantage of the beautiful weather heading our way! While the leaves have a bit more to turn, the views are still incredible, even now. And if you live too far from Hitchcock, do 15 minutes of research in your area for a county or state park and go exploring. You won’t be disappointed! 🍂🫶🍁Beautiful photos below…
