Hoover Nature Trail

Columbus Junction & Morning Sun

Louisa County Conservation manages three sections of developed trail. Motorized vehicles are NOT allowed. Hiking/walking and bicycling are allowed.

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Hoover Nature Trail at Chinkapin is OPEN!! Check out the newly resurfaced 2-mile long trail.  (Note – the trail is 2 miles long so it is 4 miles if you walk down and back, the entire trail)

Hoover Nature Trail at Chinkapin Bluffs

This 2-mile segment was recently resurfaced with a hard-packed crushed lime.  The best place to access the trail is at the new trailhead, located on the far south side of the Louisa County Fairgrounds, just west of the Grandstand at 101 Fairground Road, Columbus Junction, IA.  This trail is relatively flat, lying at the base of the bluffs, following the old railbed of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.  The trail dead ends to the E-SE when the trail reaches private property.  There are two trails that extend from the Hoover Nature Trail, up the bluff (very steep and rugged) to the rest of the trail system of Chinkapin Bluffs Recreation Area.  There are an additional series of trails on top of the bluff.  These trails are also relatively flat with a mowed grass surface.  These trails pass timber, prairie, food plots and ag fields.  They connect to the restroom, playground, shelter and overlook deck at Chinkapin Bluffs.

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Hoover Nature Trail at Morning Sun

This 3-mile segment is relatively flat and is mostly mowed grass.  From Highway 78 north to Division Street in Morning Sun there is a half-mile segment of trail owned by Larry Lihs, a private landowner, but managed by Louisa County Conservation and is open to the public.  A small parking lot is located at Division Street and provides the best access to the trail.  The county owns/manages the next mile of trail, stretching north from Division Street.  Then there is a 0.8 mile segment that is owned by two different families.  Another 0.8 mile segment stretches north to the gravel road, “L” Avenue.

Other Sections

Louisa County owns six segments of undeveloped trail comprising a total of about 4.2 miles between Morning Sun and the Muscatine County line near Conesville.  Total public land ownership totals 8.8 miles along the 16.8 mile corridor in the county.

Hoover Nature Trail Accesses

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