Byway Directions
Enter MononaCounty from the north on County Road L12 from Smithland. About 5 miles after leaving Smithland, turn left (east) at 133rd St., which is also County Road E16, to cross the floodplain of the Little Sioux River and enter the Hills just east of the river.
After being on 133rd St. for just under 3 miles, turn right (south) onto County Road L20 to ramble through more Hills until you're east of them, going south to Castana, 8 miles later.
As you approach Castana, turn right (south) onto Iowa Highway 175 to follow the MapleRiver valley toward Turin.
When you meet Iowa Highway 37, 4.5 miles later, turn left (east) for 1.5 miles until you reach County Road L16.
At County Road L16, turn right (south) to drive County Road L16 until it joins County Road E54, about 7.5 miles later. In less than a mile, you will enter Moorhead.
In Moorhead, home of the Loess Hills Hospitality Association, you will see Iowa Highway 183. Turn right (southeast) to take that highway down the SoldierRiver valley to the county's southern border, 5 miles away.
For more information, contact:
Loess Hills Hospitality Association
800/886-5441 or 712/886-5441
www.loesshillstours.com
Monona County Conservation Board
712/433-2400
www.mononacountyconservation.com
Wilderness Loop
You travel on paved and gravel roads on this 13-mile loop which begins by continuing to go south on County Road L12 after the Byway Spine turns off at County Road E16. This passes between two spurs of the Loess Hills and across the valley of the Little Sioux River.
Almost 5.5 miles after starting this loop, turn left (northeast) at Nutmeg Avenue.
About two miles later on Nutmeg Avenue is its junction with Oak Avenue which goes both to the right (southeast) and straight ahead (northeast); go straight ahead.
Less than 1 mile later, turn right (east) at 160th Street and stay on 160th Street. Along the way, 160th Street traverses part of the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area.
When you meet Olive Avenue, turn right (southeast) and follow the avenue to County Road L20 -- the Byway Spine -- less than two miles later.
At County Road L20, turn right (southwest) onto County Road L20 which will eventually lead you east, to Castana, a bit more than 2 miles away.
Allow about 30 minutes to drive this loop.
Larpenteur Memorial Road Connection
You take paved County Road L14 all the way on this 5.5 mile route that begins at the junction of L14 and L12 and follows the base of the Hills south to Turin. Small parking lots serve as trailheads.
Allow about 15 minutes for this route.
At Turin, either turn left (east) onto Iowa Highway 175/37 to rejoin the Byway Spine east of town or continue south on County Road L14 which starts Preparation Loop.
Preparation Loop
This 15-mile loop heads south from Turin for about 9 miles along the base of the Hills on County Road L14 (also called Larpenteur Memorial Road) and turning left (east) onto County Road E60 which lifts you up into the Hills.
About 1.5 miles after leaving L14, turn left (north) onto Oak Avenue.
Less than 3/4-mile later is a Y-intersection where 314th Street turns right (east) and leads to Preparation Canyon State Park 1 mile later. At the entry to the park, though, if you turn left (north), 314th Street will lead you to Iowa Highway 183, the spine of the Byway.
NOTE: If you turn left (west) at the intersection of Oak Avenue and 314th Street, you will find the Loess Hills State Forest Overlook, a wooded platform atop one of the hills. Trails lead from the overlook into state-owned land.
Allow 30 minutes for this drive on paved and gravel roads.