Nature & Outdoors
Macbride Nature Recreation Area offers a host of activities, one of which is the Raptor Center, which currently displays 17 unreleasable birds of prey historically found in Iowa. Take a self-guided tours or opt for a guided tour for a small fee. Staff share a great deal of knowledge about raptor populations and habitats to visitors.
Terry Trueblood Recreation Area offers multi-use trails, picnic areas, and rentable equipment for water activities on Sand Lake. Go kayaking, try your hand at standup paddle boarding, or take out a paddle boat for the afternoon. Located just a few minutes drive from downtown, you can enjoy getting away without traveling far at all.
The Devonian Fossil Gorge is a completely unique geological site that explorers of all ages can enjoy. Stop inside the site’s welcome center to learn about the history of the gorge, and see the fossils and coral firsthand. Camping sites, disc golf, and shelters are also nearby.