Iowa Tourism Guide for Motorcycle Touring Enthusiasts Weather Wise

Throughout history, the Mississippi River influenced many lives: the Dakota, Chippewa and Hopewell cultures; early French voyagers; African-Americans seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad; and many more. Through its charming river towns and metropolitan cities, historic sites and cultural artifacts, today's Great River Road still links resources, people and history.

Loess Hills Scenic Byway Travel Guide
Length: 220.0 miles / 354.1 kmTime to Allow: Plan 5 hours to drive or 7 or more hours to enjoy the byway.

The Loess Hills Scenic Byway weaves through the rugged landscape of windblown silt deposits along the Missouri River Valley. This unique American treasure possesses natural features found only in one other place in the world: the Yellow River Valley of China. Accordingly, the landscape supports many rare plants and animals.

Effigy Mounds National Monument - Harpers Ferry, IA
Marching Bear Mound Group with Woman Walking  An "Effigy Mound" American Indian culture developed over 1,000 years ago placing thousands of earthen mounds across the landscape of what (today) includes parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Over 200 mounds are preserved intact within the Monument; 31 are effigies in the shape of bears and birds - commemorating the passing of loved ones and the sacred beliefs of these ancient peoples...

Iowa Motorcycle Touring - Herbert Hoover National Historic Site - West Branch, IA
A small white cottage with blossoming pink flowers in front.  Born in a two-room cottage, Herbert Hoover could have been any small town boy. Orphaned at age nine, he left West Branch, never to live here again. The landscape and buildings of the early years remain, however, to tell how family, faith, education, and hard work opened a world of opportunity—even the presidency of the United States—to a child of simple beginnings.