Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

Majestic views are the hallmark of a trip on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. Formed by deposits of very fine, windblown soil at the end of the last ice age, these are not your average hills. Spanning 15 miles at their widest and nearly 200 miles long from Sioux City, Iowa, to St. Joseph, Missouri, you’d have to travel to China to see any taller loess formations.

The views include panoramas of the fertile Missouri River valley farmland, forested hills and vast grasslands. Scenic overlooks are strategically placed and offer interpretive signage along with parking. The byway features a 220-mile paved main route, with an additional 185 miles of optional excursion loops that range from interstate highways to gravel roads. These roads lead you from the Missouri border to Akron, and are easily accessed from Interstates 29 and 80.

Hundreds of opportunities exist along the byway to get out and experience the Loess Hills. One popular destination is the state’s largest remnant prairie, Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve near Sioux City. This is a great place to search for the rare flora and fauna found in the Loess Hills. The region’s state forests and preserves are also good bets, but a trip in early June to the annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar is the best way to learn about the extraordinary natural resources found here.

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