Situated along the Upper Iowa River near Iowa’s geographical center, Decorah is a small town with a population of a little over 8,000. The town’s history dates back to 1849, and its name comes from a Sioux chief who granted settlers permission to settle in the area. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city grew with its proximity to the railroad, which enabled better transportation of goods, and its natural resources, such as timber and minerals.
The city is home to a strong arts culture and is known for its many festivals, including the Norse Fest and the Nordic Fest, which celebrate the city’s Scandinavian heritage. Decorah is also home to several churches, including St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and a variety of restaurants, including the popular Pulpit Rock Brewing Company.
Visitors can explore the Decorah Fish Hatchery, the historic Decorah Courthouse, and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. For those looking for outdoor activities, the Trout Run Trail is a popular spot for biking, hiking, and fishing. Within a short drive, visitors can explore the Effigy Mounds National Monument and the Upper Iowa River, which are both popular spots for canoeing and kayaking. In the winter, Decorah is known for its ski hill and winter activities, such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.
Campgrounds Near Decorah, Iowa
Bluebird Springs Campground in La Crosse, Wisconsin offers plenty of privacy and creature comforts. It has electricity hookups, a dump station, flush toilets, showers, and a laundry facility. Most sites are well-shaded and offer picnic tables and fire rings. There are also several hiking and biking trails, featuring amazing views of the bluffs and natural wildlife. Several nearby lakes and streams are great for fishing, swimming, and boating.
Goose Island Campground is located in Stoddard, Wisconsin. It features a variety of amenities, including spacious RV sites, full hookup sites, a dump station, and a firewood shed. Additionally, campers can enjoy activities such as fishing, canoeing, and swimming. The campground also has a playground, picnic shelters, and a small store for basic supplies.
Veterans Memorial Campground, located in West Salem, Wisconsin, offers amenities such as hot showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, and a playground. The site is surrounded by trees, giving campers plenty of shade and privacy, and there are miles of hiking and biking trails. Two nearby lakes, Dutch Hollow Lake and Rock Lake, provide fishing and boating opportunities. Nearby, Mill Bluff State Park and Perrot State Park offer views of the Wisconsin countryside.
State Parks Near Decorah, Iowa
The Volga River State Recreation Area is a 5,500-acre public recreation destination located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. It’s well-known for its natural beauty and excellent outdoor recreational opportunities. The area comprises wooded hills, wetlands, lake shores, and open fields. Seasonal activities in the park include camping, fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and canoeing. The area is home to animal species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, coyotes, and many types of birds.
Pikes Peak State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering views of the Mississippi River Valley. The park is named for the nearby Pikes Peak, which is one of the highest points in Iowa. With natural features such as waterfalls, rock formations, and river bends, the park can be breathtaking to behold. Within the park, the North Bluff offers trails and incredible views of the river. The South Bluff is a less-visited area but is home to some of the park's most beautiful waterfalls, including Grand Falls and Little Falls.
Backbone State Park, located in Dundee, Iowa, is a 2,000-acre nature preserve known for its unique geological features. The park is named after the narrow and steep ridge of bedrock that follows the Maquoketa River. Its rugged terrain includes 500-foot-high bluffs and deep valleys. Leisure activities here include bird watching, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. There are several climbing routes at the park, ranging from beginner to expert. In addition, the park has an observation deck at the top of the bluffs, which offers amazing views of the Maquoketa River.
National Sites Near Decorah, Iowa
Effigy Mounds National Monument, near Harpers Ferry, Iowa, is the home of numerous ancient Native American mounds and earthworks. This site has been sacred to various Native American peoples, who constructed the mounds from the 1st to the 13th century. It’s the largest group of mounds in the United States with more than 200 mounds spread across 2,526 acres. The mounds are made in the shapes of animals and birds, including bears, eagles, deer, and bison. In addition to its cultural significance, the park is home to a variety of plants and animals, including bald eagles, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and beavers. There are also a variety of rare and endangered species, including the peregrine falcon and the Indiana bat.
The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site honors the life and legacy of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. The park was established in 1965 and is managed by the National Park Service. It encompasses the birthplace, childhood home, and grave of Herbert Hoover and is the site of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. The site includes several trails and gardens as well as the Hoover family cemetery. There are also interpretive programs and ranger-led activities available, such as guided tours of the family home and museum.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River running through Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Established in 1988, the MNRRA is the only national park dedicated to protecting and preserving a major American river. The area is home to a variety of endangered species, such as the Whooping Crane and the Piping Plover. At the historic landmark of St. Anthony Falls, the Mississippi River drops nearly 50 feet, making it the only major waterfall on the river. At the nearby St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail and Visitor Center, visitors can explore the history of the falls, including the importance of water power to the development of the city.
National Forests Near Decorah, Iowa
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a pristine 1.5-million-acre expanse of wilderness located in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s home to some of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes in the country. The forest offers recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, and hunting. It’s home to the Headwaters Wilderness, a federally designated wilderness area comprising more than 200,000 acres of virgin forests and wetlands.
Located in the northern part of Wisconsin, the Ottawa National Forest is famous for its astounding views and abundant wildlife. The forest is made up of a variety of vegetation from thick coniferous forests to lowland hardwood stands. Visitors to the forest can explore its many trails, including the vast North Country Trail, which stretches from New York to North Dakota. The forest offers access to the western shores of Lake Superior, whose crystal clear waters and sandy beaches are perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating. There are several waterfalls located throughout the forest, including the magnificent Big Manitou Falls.
Hiawatha National Forest is a beautiful expanse of woodlands, wetlands, and shorelines spread along the Great Lakes coast. Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, it spans over 894,000 acres. Visitors to the forest can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. The forest is divided into two sections, the East Unit and the West Unit. Each unit features a variety of landscapes, including forests, marshes, and rocky coasts, as well as camping, hiking, and picnicking opportunities.
