Lehigh IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lehigh, Iowa.
1. Dolliver Memorial State Park
HISTORIC NATURAL BEAUTY
Dolliver Memorial State Park is a popular outdoor destination in Lehigh offering hiking trails and natural beauty. The park features impressive sandstone formations, lush woodlands, and access to the Des Moines River. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, camping, and exploring the park's unique geological features throughout the year.
2. Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area provides extensive outdoor activities including boating, fishing, and swimming. The area encompasses a large lake surrounded by trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes found throughout the recreation area.
3. Lehigh City Park
COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE
Lehigh City Park serves as a central recreational area for local residents and visitors. The park offers playground equipment, picnic facilities, and open green spaces for community gatherings. It hosts various seasonal events and provides a relaxing environment for families to enjoy outdoor activities.
4. Des Moines River Water Trail
SCENIC PADDLING ADVENTURE
The Des Moines River Water Trail passes through Lehigh, offering paddling enthusiasts a scenic route through central Iowa. Kayakers and canoeists can enjoy the peaceful river surrounded by wooded shorelines and occasional wildlife sightings. The water trail connects several communities and natural areas, making it perfect for both short outings and longer paddling excursions.
5. Camp WaNoKi
RUSTIC OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
Camp WaNoKi offers visitors a chance to experience primitive weapons demonstrations and outdoor education near Lehigh. The camp hosts special events including the popular Fireside Chat series where history and outdoor skills are discussed. Nestled in a natural setting, the camp provides a unique glimpse into traditional outdoor activities and historical practices.
6. Fort Frenzy
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
Fort Frenzy is a comprehensive family entertainment center located a short drive from Lehigh in nearby Fort Dodge. The facility features arcade games, go-karts, mini golf, bowling, and numerous other attractions for all ages. Visitors can spend an entire day enjoying the various activities and dining options available at this popular regional destination.
7. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC GERMAN SETTLEMENT
The Amana Colonies is a National Historic Landmark consisting of seven villages that showcase German Pietist culture and history. Visitors can explore over 450 historic buildings, scenic landscapes, and enjoy locally crafted goods including furniture, foods, and textiles. The well-preserved community offers insight into communal living practices of the 19th century through museums, shops, and restaurants.
8. Herbert Hoover Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL SITE
The Herbert Hoover Birthplace in West Branch is the birthplace cottage of America's 31st president and a National Historic Landmark. The grounds include President Hoover's birthplace cottage, grave sites of President Hoover and Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover, a reconstructed blacksmith shop, and a one-room schoolhouse. Visitors can learn about Hoover's early life in Iowa through the interpretive visitor center administered by the National Park Service.
9. Historic General Dodge House
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Historic General Dodge House is a 14-room, three-story Victorian mansion constructed in 1869 by Civil War general Grenville Dodge. This National Historic Landmark showcases advanced features for its time, including central heating and hot and cold running water. The house provides visitors with insight into the life of Dodge, who was a significant figure as a railroad builder, banker, and politician in Iowa history.
10. Old Capitol
IOWA'S FIRST STATEHOUSE
The Old Capitol in Iowa City served as the last capitol of Iowa Territory and the first State Capitol building before being repurposed as The University of Iowa's first building. Restored to reflect its governmental years (1842-1857), it now serves as a museum with self-guided tours available to visitors. The building's exhibition galleries showcase changing displays that reflect Iowa's rich history, culture, and heritage.
11. The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STATION
The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House, built in 1856, served as an important station on the Underground Railroad helping enslaved people escape to freedom. The home was recognized in 2001 as a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can learn about the courage of those who opposed slavery and the secret network that operated throughout the region.
12. Farm House Museum
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SITE
The Farm House Museum in Ames is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and was the first building on Iowa State University's campus. Built in 1860, it served as a home for the first presidents of the university and later as a dwelling for farm superintendents. Today, the museum showcases period furnishings and artifacts that tell the story of early farm life and the development of agricultural education in Iowa.
13. George M. Verity Riverboat
HISTORIC MISSISSIPPI VESSEL
The George M. Verity Riverboat in Keokuk is a preserved steamboat that once navigated the Mississippi River and now serves as a floating museum. Built in 1927, this National Historic Landmark offers visitors a glimpse into the golden age of river transportation and commerce. Exhibits aboard the vessel showcase the importance of riverboats to Iowa's economic development and the challenges of navigating the mighty Mississippi.
14. Blood Run Site
ANCIENT INDIGENOUS SETTLEMENT
The Blood Run Site near Granite is an important archaeological site and National Historic Landmark that was once home to the Oneota Indigenous culture. This expansive settlement along the Big Sioux River served as a major trading center from approximately 1500 to 1700 CE. Visitors can learn about the rich cultural heritage of the area's original inhabitants through interpretive displays and preserved earthworks.
15. Brushy Creek Lake
RECREATIONAL AQUATIC PARADISE
Brushy Creek Lake is a 690-acre body of water within the Brushy Creek Recreation Area offering excellent fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. The lake is stocked with various fish species including largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish, making it a popular destination for anglers. Surrounding the lake are beautiful shorelines with beach areas, boat ramps, and scenic overlooks that attract visitors throughout the warmer months.