Lone Tree IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lone Tree, Iowa.
1. Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
GAMING AND RELAXATION
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort offers visitors a complete entertainment experience with gaming, golf, and luxury accommodations. The resort features a full casino floor with various gaming options, alongside an 18-hole golf course designed by Rees Jones. Guests can also enjoy multiple dining venues and live entertainment throughout the year.
2. Star Trek Voyage Home Museum
SCI-FI FAN PARADISE
The Star Trek Voyage Home Museum celebrates Riverside's claim as the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. The museum houses a collection of Star Trek memorabilia, props, and exhibits that honor the iconic science fiction franchise. Visitors can immerse themselves in Star Trek lore and even take photos with life-sized character cutouts.
3. Pleasant Valley Golf Course
SCENIC GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Pleasant Valley Golf Course provides golfers with a challenging yet enjoyable experience amid beautiful Iowa landscapes. The course features well-maintained fairways and greens that accommodate players of all skill levels. Visitors appreciate the friendly atmosphere and reasonable green fees at this popular local golfing destination.
4. Lone Tree Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVED
Lone Tree Historical Museum is housed in a charming two-story home showcasing the area's rich history and cultural heritage. The museum features a country kitchen, country store, barbershop, antiques, and farm equipment that transport visitors back to earlier times. A highlight of the collection is the handmade miniature 1900s farm scene created by Reid Ford.
5. River Junction Access
SCENIC WATER TRAILS
River Junction Access serves as a gateway to Iowa's beautiful water trails system near Lone Tree. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and fishing along the serene waterways that wind through the countryside. The access point provides essential amenities for water recreation while offering stunning views of the natural landscape.
6. Land of the Swamp White Oak
NATURAL WOODLAND WONDER
Land of the Swamp White Oak is a natural preserve that showcases the native tree species that gave Lone Tree its name. Visitors can explore walking trails through the woodland area and learn about the ecological importance of the swamp white oak to the region. The preserve offers a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and photographers throughout the changing seasons.
7. Tree in the Road
QUIRKY NATURAL LANDMARK
The Tree in the Road is a unique attraction where a determined tree has grown stubbornly in the middle of a rural roadway. This quirky landmark has become a popular photo opportunity and conversation starter for visitors passing through the area. The tree stands as a symbol of nature's resilience and creates a surreal juxtaposition against the man-made asphalt surrounding it.
8. Lake MacBride State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION HAVEN
Lake MacBride State Park encompasses over 2,000 acres of natural beauty with Iowa's largest state park lake as its centerpiece. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and camping among the rolling hills and wooded shorelines. The park's diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and spectacular seasonal displays of wildflowers and fall foliage.
9. Kalona Historical Village
AMISH HERITAGE CENTER
Kalona Historical Village preserves the rich Amish and Mennonite heritage of the region through a collection of authentic historic buildings and artifacts. The open-air museum includes a one-room schoolhouse, log home, general store, and train depot that have been carefully restored to their original condition. Visitors gain insight into the simple lifestyle and craftsmanship of the area's earliest settlers through guided tours and demonstrations.
10. F.W. Kent Park
FAMILY RECREATION DESTINATION
F.W. Kent Park offers 1,052 acres of outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking trails, fishing lakes, and picnic areas. The park features restored prairie landscapes, wetlands, and woodlands that provide habitat for diverse wildlife and educational nature experiences. Families particularly enjoy the playground facilities, observation tower, and the Conservation Education Center that hosts regular environmental programs.
11. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum commemorates the life and legacy of America's 31st president, who was born in West Branch. The facility houses extensive collections of artifacts, documents, and exhibits chronicling Hoover's humanitarian efforts and political career. Visitors can also explore the adjacent historic site featuring Hoover's birthplace cottage, schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and the presidential graves.
12. Old Capitol Museum
IOWA'S HISTORIC STATEHOUSE
The Old Capitol Museum occupies Iowa's first state capitol building, a National Historic Landmark with its distinctive golden dome. The meticulously restored Greek Revival structure features period furnishings, interactive exhibits, and educational displays about Iowa's early government and history. Guided tours take visitors through the former legislative chambers, governor's office, and Supreme Court room where important decisions shaped the developing state.
13. Devonian Fossil Gorge
ANCIENT SEABED EXPOSED
Devonian Fossil Gorge reveals an ancient seabed dating back 375 million years, exposed by flood events that scoured away overlying soil. Visitors can walk directly on the limestone bed where fossils of prehistoric marine creatures are plainly visible underfoot. Interpretive signs explain the geological history and identify common fossil specimens including corals, brachiopods, and crinoids that once thrived in the tropical sea that covered Iowa.
14. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC GERMAN SETTLEMENT
The Amana Colonies comprise seven historic villages established by German Pietists seeking religious freedom in the 1800s. Visitors can explore well-preserved communal buildings, shops, and homes while learning about the self-sufficient society that once operated here. Today, the colonies are known for traditional crafts, furniture-making, German-inspired cuisine, local wineries, and breweries that celebrate the area's rich cultural heritage.
15. Woodpecker Trail
BIRDWATCHER'S PARADISE PATH
Woodpecker Trail offers nature enthusiasts a serene hiking experience through mature woodlands teeming with diverse bird species. The well-maintained path features interpretive signage identifying common woodpecker habitats and the different species that can be spotted throughout the seasons. Hikers frequently report sightings of pileated, red-headed, and downy woodpeckers among the many avian residents that make this trail a favorite among birdwatchers.