Winter Wanderings

January 1, 2026

By Haley Banwart

There’s no other place in the Midwest quite like the Loess Hills. Stretching along Iowa’s western edge, these windswept ridges rise unexpectedly from the plains. Their only likeness lies halfway across the world in China — a geological rarity found in just two places on Earth.  

And while the Loess Hills are stunning in every season, they seem to soften under snowfall. The layers of fine silt left behind after the last Ice Age wear winter well, turning the landscape into gentle waves of white.    

Winter is the season when this sliver of the state takes on a quiet beauty. Small towns tucked into the contours glow softly at dusk, their storefront windows twinkling with light. Just beyond city limits, outdoor adventures await in the hills and hollows. 

So, fill up your thermos, bundle up and see where the roads through the Loess Hills lead.  

Start the Journey in Council Bluffs  

There’s no better place to begin the journey than Council Bluffs, where the surrounding scenery features the characteristic ridgelines and valleys that define the Loess Hills region. Several overlooks showcase the landscape’s sweeping views, including the Lincoln Monument, Vincent Bluff Nature Preserve and the Lewis & Clark Monument.  

The city’s energy contrasts beautifully with the stillness just beyond it. For a dose of excitement, stop at Joe’s Karting, Iowa’s fastest indoor go-kart track, where engines and squealing tires echo in the ultimate racing experience. The adrenaline rush is a fun reminder that winter doesn’t have to mean slowing down. 

From there, take to the road — the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway — to be exact. Council Bluffs serves as the gateway to this 200-mile route that winds along the Iowa-Nebraska border, revealing one scenic vista after another.  

Hit the Slopes in Honey Creek  

Heading north, you’ll find elevated outdoor adventures in Honey Creek, where the winter season transforms the hills into a playground of snow and motion. Crescent Hill at Hitchcock (formerly Mt. Crescent Ski Area) is a family favorite offering more than 2,400 feet of downhill runs and a Swiss-style lodge perfect for warming up with a cup of hot cocoa between rides.   

Just down the road, Hitchcock Nature Center offers even more ways to enjoy the Loess Hills’ terrain. A network of four-season trails connects the park directly to the ski area, creating opportunities for hiking, snowshoeing and wildlife watching.  

From the park’s observation tower, the snow-covered hills unfold toward the horizon, and on a clear day, you can even spot the Omaha skyline. For a burst of pure joy, head to the park’s notorious Chute Trail sledding hill, a local favorite for fast, laughter-filled rides.   

Antique Adventures in Walnut  

A bit further east, the town of Walnut invites travelers to come in from the cold for a day of indoor discovery. Known as Iowa’s Antique City, its streets are lined with a variety of specialty shops brimming with collectibles, crafts and vintage finds.  

As you stroll downtown among the historic storefronts, follow the warm notes of sugar and spice to Frosting Inc., a local bakery serving cookies, cakes, gourmet cupcakes and other sweet treats — a perfect reward after an afternoon of browsing.  

Find a Different Tempo in Clarinda 

When the open road calls again, follow it southeast to Clarinda, a town that hums to a familiar rhythm. It’s the birthplace of Glenn Miller, the big band leader whose music carried America through the 1930s and ‘40s. At the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum, visitors can explore his life through memorabilia, recordings and one-of-a-kind artifacts.    

Just a few blocks away, the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum offers another kind of creative experience. Housed in the beautifully restored Carnegie Library, the museum has been reimagined as a space for arts, enrichment and education. Its bright galleries feature rotating exhibitions and an extensive collection of modern and contemporary works.  

Beyond the Byway  

Exploring the topography of the Loess Hills region, which is home to some of the largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa, the drive between towns becomes a destination of its own. Frost clings to tallgrass, hawks circle above the valleys and the fading daylight casts shadows across the ancient ridges shaped by wind and time.   

Here, travelers are reminded winter isn’t something to escape, it’s something to experience. And, an adventure doesn’t always require extreme distances. Sometimes, it’s right ahead, waiting beyond the next curve in the road.