The Pottawattamie Countywide Tourism Promotion Committee is monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As the situation is developing, we continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of public health officials. The safety and health of visitors and staff is our highest priority.
Join avid birder, Nic Salick, for an evening hike where we'll look for Nightjars in the prime of their mating season. These are nocturnal, owl-like birds that don't build nests and have some funky behaviors. $10 per person. Ages 12+. We'll learn to identify two species of Nightjars, the Common Nighthawk and the Eastern Whip-poor-will, discuss their unique habits, and with some luck, be serenaded by their song after sunset. While we will try not to use flashlights or headlamps during the program, feel free to have one along to help you get back to the lodge when we conclude. Better yet, use a red light! Please note: Part of this program will take place outdoors and involves pedestrian travel on uneven, dirt trails. Please plan accordingly and leave your pets at home.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
Bring the entire family to Arrowhead Park for a morning of fishing fun in the sun on Saturday, June 3rd at 10:00 a.m. (Please note the time change from previous years). This event is held in conjunction with Iowa's free fishing weekend, which means a license is not required for Iowa residents. All other IDNR fishing regulations apply. Children must bring their own fishing pole and bait to join in the fishing derby fun. Some bait will be provided. Children must be under 16 years of age to participate. Every child entered in the derby will receive a snack and prizes are awarded in several categories. Pre-registration is not required for this event, although free-will donations will be gratefully accepted & used to fund additional free, low-cost public programming at your county parks. A $3 per vehicle entry fee or Pottawattamie Conservation membership is required to participate.
The River City Farmers Market is a family-friendly farm market that sells vegetables, baked goods, Tupperware, plus so much more. We have fresh in-season vegetables available each week, along with fresh baked breads and goodies. Honey, popcorn, jelly, BBQ sauce, dressings, salsas, mustards, plants including herbs and succulents, and hydroponic tomatoes.
Grab a shovel and blaze a new trail with the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol on National Trails Day! Help finish the last of four new trails at Hitchcock Nature Center before they open to the public. This volunteer event is perfect for hardworking helpers who aren't afraid to get a little dirty while establishing a new trail and removing fencing on National Trails Day. Pre-registration is required and lunch will be provided following trail work. Please meet on the back patio of the Loess Hills Lodge near the Bluestem Room. Before registering, be sure to read our Activity Liability Waiver here. What to wear and bring: Long pants Closed-toe shoes Hat or head covering Work gloves Reusable water bottle (water refill stations will be available) Rules and considerations: Because of the intensity of this work, please do not bring children under 12 years old or dogs. Bring them back another day to blaze the trails you helped create! Park volunteers do not need to pay park entrance fees
Pottawattamie Conservation is adding four new trails to Hitchcock Nature Center's trail system in the beautiful Loess Hills of Iowa and we need YOUR help blazing them! Visitors of all ages are invited to join Pottawattamie Conservation and the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol for a public ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. at Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hills Lodge with guided hikes to follow. Event Schedule:
- Presentation and Ribbon Cutting at the Loess Hills Lodge: 1:00 p.m.
- Guided Hikes: Approximately 1:30 p.m.
- Guided hikes to explore each new trail will take place immediately following the public presentation and ribbon cutting.
Visitors should plan for hikes to take approximately 2 hours with each trail offering varying levels of difficulty. What to bring: Visitors should come prepared with proper hiking shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a passion for adventure! Please be sure to dress for the weather. It is advised to wear a hat and long socks to avoid ticks.
Break out the tie-dye and prepare for a day of peace, love, music, and wine!! Prairie Crossing has revived Winestock! This amazing event was put on by Sugar Clay Winery in Thurman for several years until it closed in 2019. With their blessing, we have brought it back! Please join us for Prairie Crossings' inaugural Winestock on June 3rd! "Gates" will open at noon. Music starts at 1:00. Prepare for a full day of far-out fun! We have Casey Freemyer Sr, Music by Steve Taylor, VVilloughby, Running on Empty, Union County Duo, and Daniel and the Deliverance providing the groovy tunes. And we will have Smokin Good Times, HippoHot, and Carnitas EL Ranchero providing the grub for purchase. Advance tickets are $15, which gets you in the door, a cool wine glass, and 3 free tastings. (kids 3 and under are free) Glasses are limited to the first 250, so hurry! Tickets at the gate will be $20.
Be prepared to show your tickets or pay before you park.
Tickets are on sale now!
Come over to the Treynor Farmer's Market, where you can shop for local produce from amazing local vendors, enjoy exciting activities, and support our local farmers! See the schedule below for the special theme nights and activities.
Theme Nights:
Students entering 1st & 2nd Grade are invited to explore nature during Wild Ones at Arrowhead Park from June 6th - June 8th. Campers will walk on the wild side during this immersive camp experience packed full of hiking, outdoor games, nature crafts, pond exploration, and more!
Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Friday the 9th will be a backup rain date.
Join us on North Elm Street in Avoca every Wednesday evening, June through September, for the Avoca Main Street Farmers Market. We will host local produce vendors, bakers, crafters, artisans, and food trucks. Entertainment and family activities from the Avoca Public Library and Avoca Main Street are featured every week.
Join avid birder, Nic Salick, for an evening guided hike where you'll learn about local birds while walking in Iowa's beautiful Loess Hills. $10 per person. Ages 12+. Please note: This program will take place outdoors and involves pedestrian travel on uneven, dirt trails. Please plan accordingly and leave your pets at home.
Join avid birder, Nic Salick, for an evening guided hike where you'll catch one of the most beautiful sunsets around while learning about local birds that call Iowa's beautiful Loess Hills home.
This evening trail walk will offer birders and nature observers of all skill levels a chance to see the breeding birds of the Loess Hills. Early June presents a great opportunity to see birds at a time of year when they’re most active. During peak breeding season for most birds in our area, this outing offers participants a great opportunity to learn about the behaviors and songs of birds firsthand. Nic is hopeful we’ll see a broad suite of species, likely including Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles, wrens, and much more.
While we’ll focus our efforts on birds, we’ll talk about aspects of habitat, land management, and conservation at large. As always, there's no better place to catch a sunset than at Hitchcock!
Please note: This program will take place outdoors and involves pedestrian travel on uneven, dirt trails. Please plan accordingly and leave your pets at home.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
Join us for some yoga, wine & social time. Snacks, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages are available. Mats are available but feel free to bring your own. All fitness levels are welcome! Open to the Public. This event is held on the 2nd Friday of every month!
TFGF Members - Free
Non-Members - $10 drop in
Junkwood occurs rain or shine! Find "upcycled treasures" like antiques, vintage and repurposed items, collectibles, paintings, benches, jewelry, wood carvings, and so much more. Located on 3rd / Main Street in Underwood.
Indoor and outdoor spaces are available for vendors. Please e-mail junkwoodiowa@gmail.com for a copy of our application if you wish to be a vendor!
Junkwood is sponsored by Friends of Underwood.
The River City Farmers Market is a family-friendly farm market that sells vegetables, baked goods, Tupperware, plus so much more. We have fresh in-season vegetables available each week, along with fresh baked breads and goodies. Honey, popcorn, jelly, BBQ sauce, dressings, salsas, mustards, plants including herbs and succulents, and hydroponic tomatoes.
Come over to the Treynor Farmer's Market, where you can shop for local produce from amazing local vendors, enjoy exciting activities, and support our local farmers! See the schedule below for the special theme nights and activities.
Theme Nights:
Students entering 3rd & 4th Grade will expand their outdoor knowledge during Wild Seekers at Hitchcock Nature Center June 13th - June 15th. Campers will discover new skills and explore the wild side of Iowa during this hands-on camp. Campers will enjoy beginning archery lessons, shelter-building challenges, hiking, plant and animal identification, and nature crafts.
Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Friday the 16th will be a backup rain date.
Join us on North Elm Street in Avoca every Wednesday evening, June through September, for the Avoca Main Street Farmers Market. We will host local produce vendors, bakers, crafters, artisans, and food trucks. Entertainment and family activities from the Avoca Public Library and Avoca Main Street are featured every week.
Come down for the Second Gear of Bikes on the 100 Block featuring live music by Hotel Desperado! There will be a block-long beer garden with lots of other great entertainment. Motorcycle parking will be allowed on the 100-400 blocks. Please enter from 2nd and Broadway with your motorcycle.
Presented by Edwards Motorsports & RVs + Barley's Bar + Defiance Harley-Davidson and The Council Bluffs 100 Block.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
Walnut, Iowa's annual Father's Day Weekend Antique Show is 40 years old this year! Rated as a top-ten antique show nationally, Walnut's Antique Show is the place to find it and buy it. The show takes over our little town, with 100s of vendors from around the country peddling their wares for thousands of shoppers and antique enthusiasts. Come for quality antiques, unique collectibles, good food and drink, or just people-watching! Parking is free, as is admission.
Join us for the Ride 4 Resilience and Recovery bike ride on the scenic Wabash Trace hosted by NAMI! Enjoy flexible starts and stops between Council Bluffs and Shenandoah on June 17. Don't miss the new addition this year - The Pancake Man will be serving up delicious pancakes at the Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park in Council Bluffs from 7:00-10:00 am. Register now at https://namisouthwestiowa.com/ and let's pedal for a great cause! #Ride4Resilience #BikeForRecovery
Riders may start the ride anytime between 7:00 am - 10:00 am.
For those who are curious about the mileage between each town, we've got you covered:
- Council Bluffs to Mineola: 9.6 miles
- Mineola to Silver City: 4.3 miles
- Silver City to Malvern: 8 miles
- Malvern to Imogene: 13.6 miles
- Imogene to Shenandoah: 8.9 miles
Don't miss out on this fun and unique opportunity to support resilience and recovery while enjoying the great outdoors!
The River City Farmers Market is a family-friendly farm market that sells vegetables, baked goods, Tupperware, plus so much more. We have fresh in-season vegetables available each week, along with fresh baked breads and goodies. Honey, popcorn, jelly, BBQ sauce, dressings, salsas, mustards, plants including herbs and succulents, and hydroponic tomatoes.
Faith in the Future World Tour 2023 is coming to Harrah's Stir Concert Cove on Saturday, June 17th. There's a delicate balance to Faith in the Future, and Tomlinson exhibits the full capacity of his talents while never refraining from sounding unapologetically like him for a nonsecond. Following the successes of Walls, which charted in the Top 4 in the UK and Top 10 in the United States, there was understandably pressure weighing on his second outing, but it's a challenge he's thrived off.
The Friends of Underwood organize the Monday Markets, featuring locally grown produce and goods. Stop by for great company and shopping. This week's special event is summer rocks!
Join us Tuesday, June 20th at 7:00 p.m. for the second hike of our 2023 Hitch Hike series where we'll take a closer look at some of Hitchcock's best prairie remnants as you are guided along Badger Ridge. Discover purple coneflowers and other early summer wildflowers and get an idea of what the hills may have looked like during the time of Lewis and Clark. Pre-registration is not required for this event, although free-will donations will be gratefully accepted and used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. Free with $5/vehicle park entry or a park membership. Weather permitting. Please meet us at the Loess Hills Lodge. Pets: Well-behaved dogs are permitted to accompany their owners but must be leashed at all times.
Come over to the Treynor Farmer's Market, where you can shop for local produce from amazing local vendors, enjoy exciting activities, and support our local farmers! See the schedule below for the special theme nights and activities.
Theme Nights:
Students entering 5th & 6th Grade will expand their outdoor knowledge during Wild Wanderers at Hitchcock Nature Center June 20th - June 22nd. Campers will continue growing their outdoor survival skills through archery lessons, orienteering, fire building, and more.
Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Friday the 23rd will be a backup rain date.
Join us on North Elm Street in Avoca every Wednesday evening, June through September, for the Avoca Main Street Farmers Market. We will host local produce vendors, bakers, crafters, artisans, and food trucks. Entertainment and family activities from the Avoca Public Library and Avoca Main Street are featured every week.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
The River City Farmers Market is a family-friendly farm market that sells vegetables, baked goods, Tupperware, plus so much more. We have fresh in-season vegetables available each week, along with fresh baked breads and goodies. Honey, popcorn, jelly, BBQ sauce, dressings, salsas, mustards, plants including herbs and succulents, and hydroponic tomatoes.
The Friends of Underwood organize the Monday Markets, featuring locally grown produce and goods. Stop by for great company and shopping. This week's special event is bingo!
Youth entering 7th, 8th, and 9th grades get a chance to put all their outdoor skills to use during a paddling adventure and an overnight camping stay at Botna Bend Park. Participants arrive at Arrowhead at 8:00 a.m. for a day building canoeing skills & learning water safety. Our second day will start out at 8:00 a.m. at the Eddington Memorial Park in Avoca (location subject to change) where we will embark on a canoeing adventure down the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail to our overnight camp out location at Botna Bend park. Parents can pick up their campers at 11:00 a.m. at Botna Bend Park the next day (location subject to change).
Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Friday, June 30th will be a backup rain date.
Come over to the Treynor Farmer's Market, where you can shop for local produce from amazing local vendors, enjoy exciting activities, and support our local farmers! See the schedule below for the special theme nights and activities.
Theme Nights:
Join us on North Elm Street in Avoca every Wednesday evening, June through September, for the Avoca Main Street Farmers Market. We will host local produce vendors, bakers, crafters, artisans, and food trucks. Entertainment and family activities from the Avoca Public Library and Avoca Main Street are featured every week.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
