Click here to download a pdf brochure of the motorcycling guide.
We invite you to drive the full 220-mile Loess Hills National Scenic Byway route, explore excursion loops or drive these suggested routes for 1 or 2 day trips. All routes are paved roads unless otherwise noted. The steep, sharply ridged topography of loess soil in depths of 200 feet and higher can only be seen nestled against the Missouri River Valley in Western Iowa and the Yellow River Valley in China.
Rolling, winding roads weave through praries and rugged landscapes to historic downtowns, with quaint shops, interpretive centers and attractions as unique as the Loess Hills themselves.
Northern Ride
Enter the northern gateways to the Loess Hills at Westfield on Highway 12. The scenic route follows a ribbon-like trail nestled between the Big Sioux River on the west and the Loess Hills/bluffs on the east.
Directions
• Begin at Highway 12 in Westfield and head south to Sioux City.
• Take interstate 29 at Exit 151 traveling 10 miles on I29 along the Missouri River.
• At Exit 141, travel East (L) on County Road D38.
• Travel south (R) through small hills to County Road D25 which and joins Hwy. 141 into the town of Smithland.
• In Smithland, proceed south on County Road L12, then east (L) onto County Road L20. Follow this into the town of Turin.
• At Turin, turn east (L) onto Hwy. 37 for 2 miles and then turn south (R) onto County Road L16. This will take you to Moorhead.
• From Moorhead, turn right (south) onto Hwy. 183 and follow it into Pisgah.
Attractions
• Located just east of Highway 12, the Nature Conservancy manages Broken Kettle Grassland and adjacent Five Ridge Prairie. Breathtaking views. A visit here will include gravel roads.
• Just north of Sioux City on Highway 12 the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and Stone State Park offer opportunities to explore.
• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, I-29.
• Loess Hills Hospitality Center in Moorhead.
• "The Gypsy Ride" is a unique motorcycle masterpiece standing 15 ft. tall and 25 ft. wide. It is 1 of only 4 in the entire United States! Look for it beside the Broken Throttle Saloon in Whiting, Iowa. (Exit 120 on I-29 south of Sioux City).
Central Ride
If it’s beautiful scenery you like, you will find it here. Open the front door to spectacular overlooks of the hills and river valley.
Directions
• Begin in Missouri Valley, heading east on U.S. Hwy. 30 towards Logan.
• Turn north (L) at the stop light (N. 2nd Ave.) to Hwy. 127, continue north into Magnolia to a “T” intersection at the bottom of the hill.
• Turn north (R) onto the Loess Hills Trail for a short drive up to Hwy. 127 then turn north (R) onto Hwy. 183 heading into Pisgah.
• Turn left onto F20/Easton Trail traveling west to Murray Hill overlook.
• Continue on F20/Easton Trail into Little Sioux turning west (R) onto Vine St./F20 until you reach a stop sign and turn south (L) proceeding onto K45/Austin Avenue which takes you into Mondamin.
• Catch Hwy. 127 east (L) and continue on L20 (also marked as the Loess Hills trail) continue through Missouri Valley and Honey Creek to Crescent, Iowa.
Attractions
• Harrison County Historical Village and Iowa Welcome Center - trail tips.
• The Museum of Religious Arts. One of a kind exhibits, historical pieces, life-sized wax figures tell the story of the crucifixion and chapel. (Hwy. 30)
• Loess Hills State Forest Visitor Center in Pisgah. Headquarters for the 11,000 acre state forest and information about forest land in the hills.
• Hitchcock Nature Center offers a 60 ft. hawk watch tower with spectacular views of the Loess Hills and Missouri River Valley.
Southern Ride
You will experience a great start in the heart of Iowa’s Loess Hills, Council Bluffs. Known as the crossroads to the west, Mormons, Gold Rushers, Pioneers and Lewis and Clark actually "slept here".
Directions
• From Council Bluffs, go south on I-29 to Exit 47 and take Hwy. 92 east to Wabash Avenue/L35 South.
• Continue South on L35 to Hwy. 34 near the town of Glenwood.
• Take Hwy. 34 east to Hwy. 275 south (several miles east of Glenwood).
• Take Hwy. 275 South to County Road J18 south (also called Plum Creek Road) traveling into Thurman.
• Take County road L44 south (this is also called Bluff Road).
• Continue south on L44 to State Hwy. 2, turning east for approximately 1 mile to the Waubonsie State Park entrance OR
• You can continue on L44 south into the town of Hamburg, IA.
Attractions
• Ameristar, Harrahs, & Horseshoe Casinos in Council Bluffs offer slots, table games, keno, live and simulcast greyhound races and entertainment.
• Indian Earth Lodge in Glenwood. This replica lodge shows how Indians lived on the Plains around 950-1300 AD.
• Waubonsie State Park is known for their exceptional ovelooks and fall colors.
• Riverton Wildlife Area west of Riverton. Located just east of Riverton on Hwy. 2, take County Road L68 for 2 or 3 miles to a great overlook.
More Information
For information about the hills:
www.loesshillsalliance.com
Find additional information at:
www.visitloesshills.org
For lodging, restaurants and attractions visit:
www.visitwesterniowa.com
We invite you to drive the full 220-mile Loess Hills National Scenic Byway route, explore excursion loops or drive these suggested routes for 1 or 2 day trips. All routes are paved roads unless otherwise noted. The steep, sharply ridged topography of loess soil in depths of 200 feet and higher can only be seen nestled against the Missouri River Valley in Western Iowa and the Yellow River Valley in China.
Rolling, winding roads weave through praries and rugged landscapes to historic downtowns, with quaint shops, interpretive centers and attractions as unique as the Loess Hills themselves.
Northern Ride
Enter the northern gateways to the Loess Hills at Westfield on Highway 12. The scenic route follows a ribbon-like trail nestled between the Big Sioux River on the west and the Loess Hills/bluffs on the east.
Directions
• Begin at Highway 12 in Westfield and head south to Sioux City.
• Take interstate 29 at Exit 151 traveling 10 miles on I29 along the Missouri River.
• At Exit 141, travel East (L) on County Road D38.
• Travel south (R) through small hills to County Road D25 which and joins Hwy. 141 into the town of Smithland.
• In Smithland, proceed south on County Road L12, then east (L) onto County Road L20. Follow this into the town of Turin.
• At Turin, turn east (L) onto Hwy. 37 for 2 miles and then turn south (R) onto County Road L16. This will take you to Moorhead.
• From Moorhead, turn right (south) onto Hwy. 183 and follow it into Pisgah.
Attractions
• Located just east of Highway 12, the Nature Conservancy manages Broken Kettle Grassland and adjacent Five Ridge Prairie. Breathtaking views. A visit here will include gravel roads.
• Just north of Sioux City on Highway 12 the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and Stone State Park offer opportunities to explore.
• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, I-29.
• Loess Hills Hospitality Center in Moorhead.
• "The Gypsy Ride" is a unique motorcycle masterpiece standing 15 ft. tall and 25 ft. wide. It is 1 of only 4 in the entire United States! Look for it beside the Broken Throttle Saloon in Whiting, Iowa. (Exit 120 on I-29 south of Sioux City).
Central Ride
If it’s beautiful scenery you like, you will find it here. Open the front door to spectacular overlooks of the hills and river valley.
Directions
• Begin in Missouri Valley, heading east on U.S. Hwy. 30 towards Logan.
• Turn north (L) at the stop light (N. 2nd Ave.) to Hwy. 127, continue north into Magnolia to a “T” intersection at the bottom of the hill.
• Turn north (R) onto the Loess Hills Trail for a short drive up to Hwy. 127 then turn north (R) onto Hwy. 183 heading into Pisgah.
• Turn left onto F20/Easton Trail traveling west to Murray Hill overlook.
• Continue on F20/Easton Trail into Little Sioux turning west (R) onto Vine St./F20 until you reach a stop sign and turn south (L) proceeding onto K45/Austin Avenue which takes you into Mondamin.
• Catch Hwy. 127 east (L) and continue on L20 (also marked as the Loess Hills trail) continue through Missouri Valley and Honey Creek to Crescent, Iowa.
Attractions
• Harrison County Historical Village and Iowa Welcome Center - trail tips.
• The Museum of Religious Arts. One of a kind exhibits, historical pieces, life-sized wax figures tell the story of the crucifixion and chapel. (Hwy. 30)
• Loess Hills State Forest Visitor Center in Pisgah. Headquarters for the 11,000 acre state forest and information about forest land in the hills.
• Hitchcock Nature Center offers a 60 ft. hawk watch tower with spectacular views of the Loess Hills and Missouri River Valley.
Southern Ride
You will experience a great start in the heart of Iowa’s Loess Hills, Council Bluffs. Known as the crossroads to the west, Mormons, Gold Rushers, Pioneers and Lewis and Clark actually "slept here".
Directions
• From Council Bluffs, go south on I-29 to Exit 47 and take Hwy. 92 east to Wabash Avenue/L35 South.
• Continue South on L35 to Hwy. 34 near the town of Glenwood.
• Take Hwy. 34 east to Hwy. 275 south (several miles east of Glenwood).
• Take Hwy. 275 South to County Road J18 south (also called Plum Creek Road) traveling into Thurman.
• Take County road L44 south (this is also called Bluff Road).
• Continue south on L44 to State Hwy. 2, turning east for approximately 1 mile to the Waubonsie State Park entrance OR
• You can continue on L44 south into the town of Hamburg, IA.
Attractions
• Ameristar, Harrahs, & Horseshoe Casinos in Council Bluffs offer slots, table games, keno, live and simulcast greyhound races and entertainment.
• Indian Earth Lodge in Glenwood. This replica lodge shows how Indians lived on the Plains around 950-1300 AD.
• Waubonsie State Park is known for their exceptional ovelooks and fall colors.
• Riverton Wildlife Area west of Riverton. Located just east of Riverton on Hwy. 2, take County Road L68 for 2 or 3 miles to a great overlook.
More Information
For information about the hills:
www.loesshillsalliance.com
Find additional information at:
www.visitloesshills.org
For lodging, restaurants and attractions visit:
www.visitwesterniowa.com
