Acres of trees, rivers & trails offer year-round activities

By Maggie Mills
Iowa.com

Iowa may be known as an agricultural center in the Midwest, but Decatur County prides itself on being “not completely altered by the plow.” With a combination of rolling hills, lakes, trails, and parks, the county is laced with acres of timbered areas that are home to many species of wildlife and plants.

Nine Eagles State Park in Pleasanton offers a large beach, playgrounds, fishing areas, three campgrounds, and even nine miles of equestrian trails. Davis City is the home to Slip Bluff Park, which also offers camping grounds with modern facilities. Once on the Iowa’s impaired waters list for erosion and excessive sediment problems, Slip Bluff Lake was recently re-established as an Oak Savanna terrain as part of a restoration project.

Little River Recreation Area is another popular outdoor destination, with a 787 acre lake for fishing, skiing, tubing, and boating, campgrounds, log cabins and a bait shop. The Grand River Water Trail is also situated in Decatur County, offering visitors and residents 43 miles of unaltered river for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing.

Along with plenty of outdoor attractions, Decatur County also offers a series of historical attractions.  Liberty Hall in Lamoni, is the restored Victorian home of Joseph Smith III, a Mormon church leader. The JJ McClung House in Garden Grove is the restored Victorian home of J.J. McClung, who opened the first gas station in the county for horseless carriages. Tours are available for visitors to both restored homes.

The Amish Country Store and Maid Rite is another Lamoni attraction that was recently purchased by Graceland University and furnished entirely with Amish furniture. Guests and residents can stop in for a meal and stay to shop around in the Country Store that sells Amish goods too.

Decatur County’s largest employers include the Decatur County Hospital, Graceland University, AZ MFG, Cloud 10 Corp., Interpower, and Industrial Hardfacing.

With natural resources abounding, and residents with passionate and friendly spirits, Decatur County offers opportunity for both outdoor adventures and community engagement.

Davis City pop. 275
Decatur City pop. 199
Garden Grove pop. 250
Grand River pop. 225
Lamoni pop. 2444
Leon pop. 1983
LeRoy pop. 13
Pleasanton pop. 37
Van Wert pop. 231
Weldon pop. 145