During the month of August, I’ll be featuring Ida Grove, a small town an hour east of Sioux City, and I must say that by visiting these small towns around Siouxland, it has given me
During the month of August, I’ll be featuring Ida Grove, a small town an hour east of Sioux City, and I must say that by visiting these small towns around Siouxland, it has given me a chance to take full advantage of my Summer, and today was just short of perfect. After visiting with a local business owner about their vineyard, which I’ll be featuring next month during our wedding series, I made this stop a priority.
Founded in the early 1850s, Moorehead Park was once the original footing for the town of Ida Grove. Upon settling here in the mid 1800s, John Moorehead and his family built their family home which still stands to this day! While touring the park you’ll come across this historic landmark, along with a handful of other century old buildings.
More to see in Moorehead Park
But let’s back up a bit and start from the beginning. Upon driving into this 258-acre park, I was greeted by a massive and impressive entrance sign! Not knowing what to expect, I drove in, and was very pleasantly surprised. One of the first things I saw was a directional sign guiding visitors to the attractions they will experience within the park.
Just like Onawa’s Lewis and Clark Park, I was surprised to find a small lake within the park’s borders. At a max depth of only 20 feet, the size of Moorehead Park Lake is about 10 acres, and is filled with bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. This would be a perfect place to paddleboard or kayak on a fall afternoon. In addition, the park and its lake have been listed as one of Iowa’s “Watchable Wildlife” areas, meaning this park is known for its abundance of wildlife due to the quality habitat that has been provided.
Camping and boating
I also came across an amazing camping spot, that my husband and I may have to take advantage of next year. Allowing for primitive camping only, this simple setup is in the center of everything, from the children’s playground, hiking trails, a covered shelter, to even a historical village! For only $15 a night, if you are looking for a quiet getaway, this may be the place for you.
This park reminds me of the Adams Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota. Preserved on the grounds of the park are a handful of once-operational buildings. You’ll find a school house from 1884, a log cabin, and a shelter which operates as a ski and sled shelter in the winter. Park-goers can rent or bring their own snow boards, hoist themselves up the large hill behind the shelter and gracefully make their way down the incline.
Step back in time
The Stagecoach Inn (which was once the Moorehead family home) was built in 1856, and added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1973. In addition to being Ida County’s first post office, this building also served as the community’s first Courthouse, a church, a general store, and a hospital.
Just behind the Stagecoach Inn is an outdoor collection of old farm machinery dated from when the family home was originally built. My first thought was, my grandfather most likely grew up using this technology, and my second thought was, I can’t believe they would operate a farm using these archaic mechanisms. How much patience and discipline farmers must have had a decade ago.
Plan your visit
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Moorehead Park! Short on time, I was not able to venture out and walk the 8.5-mile-long trail loop around the park, which means I’ll have to explore it at another time. With plans to expand, add camping pads, extend the trail loop further into town, and repopulating the Trumpeter Swan population, this pleasant small-town park will be going through some extensive changes, so check back soon to see what’s new!
Hours of Operation
Mon – Sun: 5am to 10:30pm
