Adventuring near the QC: 3 great parks, nature hikes

We hit the trail and head to three spots just north of the Quad Cities with outdoor blogger Wade Ellett where we can take in some outstanding scenery and enjoy out-of-the-way parks filled with beautiful nature trails.

Let’s hit a trail at one of these 3 spots just north of home!

Pine Valley Nature Area, Monmouth IA

Pine Valley Nature Area is absolutely gorgeous. From windswept prairie, I hiked downhill into thick woodland, before making my way down to stream beds flowing along limestone ridges that feed into the Maquoketa River. Our odd find of the day here was a cow skeleton, bleached by the sun but largely still intact, more or less. I was surprised that Inkling had so little interest in it! Let me know if you find it too. How to get there: Three miles north of Monmouth, IA, off 30th Avenue, and you’ll find it no problem. Google Maps had no trouble leading me to the parking area, so if that’s how you navigate it’ll be smooth sailing for you too! (Directions)

Eden Valley Refuge, Baldwin IA

Eden Valley Refuge rests on the banks of Bear Creek, this 200-acre park is ready for you, and it’s very family friendly. If you have children, they’re going to love crossing the swinging bridge or climbing the lookout tower. There are only 4 miles of trail here, but it feels like more because of the way they’re laid out. We ended up hiking about 5 miles here, covering some of the same ground twice, but enjoying every step. They have modern campsites, as well as primitive campgrounds which are accessible only on foot. You can also rent the bunkhouse, which sleeps 12, or a semi-modern cabin which sleeps 4. How to get there: Two miles south of Baldwin, IA (Directions)

McNeil Nature Preserve, Preston IA

A customer at work suggested I hit up McNeil Nature Preserve; he swore by it, but warned me it doesn’t look like much at the entrance. When I pulled up, I understood what he meant. As you start into this preserve, you’re essentially walking along a strip of grass between two fields. Don’t let that fool you though. After a quarter mile or so, the trail will turn into a nice little forest of cedars and other assorted trees. The whole preserve is only 58 acres, so it isn’t huge, but the trail loops through this little woodland interspersed with pockets of native prairie, making it feel larger than it is. Keep your eyes peeled for turkey, deer, and pheasant here because we scared a few out of hiding during our hike! How to get there: When you head out to McNeil, you’ll find it 1.5 miles east and 1 mile north of Preston, IA, just off of 33rd Street. If you use Google Maps or other GPS units, it may lead you past the turn off to the quarry on 64. When you’re within a few miles just keep your eyes peeled for the brown signs, they’ll lead you right where you need to go! (Directions)

Let’s hit a trail at one of these 3 spots just north of home!

Pine Valley Nature Area, Monmouth IA

Pine Valley Nature Area is absolutely gorgeous. From windswept prairie, I hiked downhill into thick woodland, before making my way down to stream beds flowing along limestone ridges that feed into the Maquoketa River.

Our odd find of the day here was a cow skeleton, bleached by the sun but largely still intact, more or less. I was surprised that Inkling had so little interest in it! Let me know if you find it too.

How to get there: Three miles north of Monmouth, IA, off 30th Avenue, and you’ll find it no problem. Google Maps had no trouble leading me to the parking area, so if that’s how you navigate it’ll be smooth sailing for you too! (Directions)

Eden Valley Refuge, Baldwin IA

Eden Valley Refuge rests on the banks of Bear Creek, this 200-acre park is ready for you, and it’s very family friendly. If you have children, they’re going to love crossing the swinging bridge or climbing the lookout tower.

There are only 4 miles of trail here, but it feels like more because of the way they’re laid out. We ended up hiking about 5 miles here, covering some of the same ground twice, but enjoying every step.

They have modern campsites, as well as primitive campgrounds which are accessible only on foot. You can also rent the bunkhouse, which sleeps 12, or a semi-modern cabin which sleeps 4.

How to get there: Two miles south of Baldwin, IA (Directions)

McNeil Nature Preserve, Preston IA

A customer at work suggested I hit up McNeil Nature Preserve; he swore by it, but warned me it doesn’t look like much at the entrance.

When I pulled up, I understood what he meant. As you start into this preserve, you’re essentially walking along a strip of grass between two fields. Don’t let that fool you though. After a quarter mile or so, the trail will turn into a nice little forest of cedars and other assorted trees.

The whole preserve is only 58 acres, so it isn’t huge, but the trail loops through this little woodland interspersed with pockets of native prairie, making it feel larger than it is.

Keep your eyes peeled for turkey, deer, and pheasant here because we scared a few out of hiding during our hike!

How to get there: When you head out to McNeil, you’ll find it 1.5 miles east and 1 mile north of Preston, IA, just off of 33rd Street. If you use Google Maps or other GPS units, it may lead you past the turn off to the quarry on 64. When you’re within a few miles just keep your eyes peeled for the brown signs, they’ll lead you right where you need to go! (Directions)