Four New Trails Open at Hitchcock Nature Center, Making 400 Acres of Public Land Accessible to Visitors
Posted by: Conservation
Honey Creek, IA: Pottawattamie Conservation officially opened four new trails at Hitchcock Nature Center on National Trails Day, connecting park visitors to an additional 400 acres of newly acquired public land including the 106-acre Mt. Crescent Ski Area and expanding the trail system to 13 miles.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place Saturday, June 3rd. Visitors can explore new trails through Hitchcock Nature Center’s current trail system, allowing hikers to be creative in choosing which paths they want to blaze.
From east to west:
Turkey Run is a 0.25-mile wooded ridgeline trail that connects the park’s current Hidden Valley and Wildwoods trails and is approximately 1 mile from the park’s main parking area.
Lotus Loop is a 2.75-mile mixed prairie/wetlands trail that loops around a 16-acre walk-in-only fishing pond and connects to the park’s current Badger Ridge and Westridge trails. It is approximately 1 mile from the park’s main parking area.
Crescent Ridge is a 1.5-mile mixed woodland/prairie ridgeline trail that wraps around Mt. Crescent Ski Area and connects to the southern end of Lotus Loop and is approximately 2 miles from the park’s main parking area.
Prairie Clover Pass is a 0.5-mile open prairie trail that connects Lotus Loop to the park’s current Blazing Star trail and is approximately 0.75 miles from the park’s main parking area.
Visitors should note that trails at Hitchcock Nature Center are reserved for low-impact recreation only and wheeled vehicles, including strollers, wagons, and bikes, are not allowed. An exception is Boardwalk Trail which is ADA accessible, and strollers or wagons are welcome.
Hitchcock Nature Center’s trail system is open and accessible to the public 365 days a year from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. All trails must be accessed through the Hitchcock Nature Center’s main or campground entrances with violators subject to trespassing charges.
This trail expansion project was made possible with support from the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol, the Greater Omaha Trail Runnerz, and community volunteers.
View photos of the ribbon cutting ceremony by visiting Facebook.com/PottCountyIA
About Pottawattamie Conservation: Pottawattamie Conservation promotes an appreciation for Iowa's unique natural areas through year-round environmental education programming, natural resource management, habitat restoration, as well as many recreational activities at six county parks. Whether you
