Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
220 miles through Iowa's Loess Hills, steep ridges of wind-blown soil above the Missouri River valley, from near Hamburg north to Akron.
- Length220 miles of paved main route[2]About 185 more miles of optional loops, some on gravel.
- Drive timeAbout five hours of driving, or seven or more to enjoy it[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
- RoadsNot verified
- Start and endThe Missouri line near Hamburg to Akron, north of Sioux City[2]
- Fees and passesNo fees on the byway itself[1]
- Best seasonNot verified
- SurfaceThe main route is paved; the optional excursion loops range from interstates to gravel roads.[2]
- Vehicle notesNot verified
- Seasonal closuresNot verified
Before you go
Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Facts last checked against the sources on October 22, 2026.
About the drive
The Loess Hills are steep ridges of very fine, wind-deposited soil left at the end of the last ice age, rising along the east side of the Missouri River valley in western Iowa. The byway follows them for 220 paved miles from the Missouri line near Hamburg north to Akron.
The Iowa DOT's byway guide lists a string of parks and preserves along the hills, including Waubonsie State Park near Hamburg, Preparation Canyon and the Loess Hills State Forest near Pisgah, Stone State Park at Sioux City, and the Broken Kettle Grasslands.
Optional excursion loops add about 185 miles, some of it on gravel, if you want to get deeper into the hills.
Stops along the way
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Waubonsie State Park
Hilltop park near Hamburg at the south end.
Official information · 40.67286, -95.69553 · about 0.6 mi from the route line
-
Preparation Canyon State Park
Wooded canyon park near Pisgah.
Official information · 41.89355, -95.90678 · about 0.9 mi from the route line
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Loess Hills State Forest
State forest near Pisgah with a scenic overlook.
Official information · 41.83223, -95.92768 · about 0.1 mi from the route line
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Stone State Park
Park in the hills on the edge of Sioux City.
Official information · 42.54397, -96.46514 · about 0.5 mi from the route line
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Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve
Large prairie preserve north of Sioux City.
Official information · 42.70715, -96.56753 · about 1.0 mi from the route line
Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Food along the way
Farmers markets within about 25 miles
- Akron Farmers MarketHwy. 12 And Big Sioux River Rd Akron, IA · about 0.0 mi from the route
- Highway 34 Farmers' MarketGlenwood, IA · about 0.0 mi from the route
- Sioux City Farmers MarketSioux City, IA · about 0.1 mi from the route
- Harrison County Welcome Center Farmers Market2931 Monroe Avenue Missouri Valley, IA · about 0.1 mi from the route
- Main Street Farmers Market100 Block W. Broadway Council Bluffs, IA · about 0.1 mi from the route
Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.
Sources
- America's Byways: Loess Hills National Scenic Byway (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Loess Hills National Scenic Byway (Travel Iowa, Iowa Economic Development Authority) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Byways: The Official Travel Guide to Iowa's Byways (Iowa DOT) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.
Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).