Loess Hills State Forest
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(712) 456-2924
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Harrison County, about 23 miles northeast of Blair, Loess Hills State Forest covers about 11,561 acres.
Its trail network totals roughly 60 miles, according to the park.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| The park’s wording doesn’t give clock times — see the official wording below. | |||
Official wording
Visit the Loess Hills State Forest Visitors Center near downtown Pisgah to learn about the geology and unique flora and fauna of this area. The visitors center is open year-round, with seasonal hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Privately owned animals must be on a leash of max six feet or confined; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds; most cabins/yurts are pet-free.
Statewide rule from Iowa's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Not required
- Booking system
- Iowa State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- 1-877-427-2757
Hike-in campsites can be accessed at the southeast corner of the park and are first-come, first-served.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Camp in one of Iowa’s only hike-in backpacking campgrounds, located in Preparation Canyon State Park. Hike-in campsites can be accessed at the southeast corner of the park and are first-come, first-served. No modern restroom facilities are available. Preparation Canyon State Park is managed by forest staff and features open air picnic shelters and hiking trails.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Trails
Camp in one of Iowa’s only hike-in backpacking campgrounds, located in Preparation Canyon State Park. Hike-in campsites can be accessed at the southeast corner of the park and are first-come, first-served. No modern restroom facilities are available. Preparation Canyon State Park is managed by forest staff and features open air picnic shelters and hiking trails. Hike more than 60 miles of trails throughout the forest units. Several trails criss-cross forest lands, along with county-owned areas. Spend the day on Brent’s Trail, an eight-mile marked hiking trek traversing the ridges and valleys of the Loess Hills, while offering majestic views. When hiking in the Loess Hills be prepared for rugged topography, uneven terrain and loose soil. Visit the IA State Parks Trails GIS website for location and trail information.
Getting there
- Address
- 206 Polk Street
Pisgah, IA 51564 - Nearest town
- Blair — about 23 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.8319, -95.9282
- Phone
- (712) 456-2924
- LoessHills_Forest@dnr.iowa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Iowa State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Iowa DNR 'All Parks' directory (Drupal view, ?page=0..3) — state parks, recreation areas, a state preserve and state forests
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology