Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Center-- Long Forest Loop

Just off highway 20 south of Dubuque, IA you can find Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Center.  Catfish Creek, a tributary of the Mississippi River runs throughout the park and it is a great place for Trout Fishing, hiking, or relaxing.  There is a nature center on site that has a variety of exhibits and hosts events regularly.  You can read more about the Iowa DNR and the Trout Fishing and Restoration program on the link bellow as well as the Nature Center's Calendar of events! 

I particularly like this Nature Preserve for the variety of trails that they offer.  They have many different trails to offer and you can choose if you want a long trail, or a short trail.  You can also choose what kind of landscape that you would like to hike through such as forest, ridge, limestone, stream bottom; etc.

On this beautiful December day, I chose to hike the Long Forest Loop.  Bellow are some photos from the hike; I hope that you enjoy them!

Bridge Across Catfish Creek

 

Stairs Leading to the Upper Forest Trail

Beautiful green moss for this time of year!

 

First signs of winter!

View from the top of the trail!

View of Catfish Creek-- water is very high.

Thank you for reading.  I hope that you enjoyed it.  For more information about Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Center please click on the links bellow, or feel free to comment on the post!  Until next time!



http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing

http://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Dubuque/Park/Swiss-Valley-Nature-Preserve-and-Nature-Center.aspx