Attractions

Upper Iowa River

The Upper Iowa River, a 150-mile tributary of the Mississippi River, is located in the Driftless Area of Northeast Iowa. One of the most beloved rivers in the Midwest, it is the only Iowa river to be nominated for inclusion in the nation’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Program and canoeing the Upper Iowa River has been recommended as one of the top 100 adventures in the United States by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

The remote nature of the river, towering limestone bluffs, public natural areas, exceptional fishery, and abundant wildlife, draw visitors from around the world. The watershed boasts water falls, cold water trout streams, hardwood forests, bucolic farms and small villages and towns. The public and private partners along the river and in the watershed take pride in working independently and with others to restore and protect the river and its watershed so that it can be enjoyed by many generations to come.