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Birding Winneshiek County

DRIFT LESS, PICK MORE:

Birding Winneshiek County

June 10, 2026

2 DAY • 10-12 STOPS • Up to 75 MILES Total • Family friendly

Best for birders, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts

Winneshiek County, one of the state’s most long-standing Bird Friendly Iowa communities, is a premier birding destination in Iowa and the Midwest! Get ready to explore thousands of acres of prairies, hardwood and pine forests, and wetlands in Decorah and surrounding communities. The county is situated within the Mississippi River Flyway and criss-crossed by the Upper Iowa and Turkey Rivers and numerous Goldwater trout streams. Campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, and wide-ranging natural areas means that Winneshiek County offers outdoor recreation fun for everyone!

Drift Less, BIRD MORE.

1. DISCOVER EAGLES, TROUT, and WATERFALLS

Start your day of birding Winneshiek County at the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery, a site made famous by the Decorah Eagle livestream webcam that has documented the lives and habits of eagles (and the occasional Canada goose) for almost 20 years. Though the original nest is no longer used by eagles, the site remains a great place to bird and spend a few hours. Look for cedar waxwings, warblers, orioles, and, of course, eagles. Bring some quarters to buy food to feed the trout in the raceways, cast a line, or admire the picturesque Siewers Spring Waterfall. Insider Tip: The raceways can get hot, so this is a good morning adventure during the summer.

2. CHOOSE YOUR OWN (PARK) ADVENTURE

It’s time to explore Decorah Parks and Trails! The extensive network of up-and-down trails winding through prairies, woodlands, and pine forests in Van Peenan Park offer abundant birding opportunities, as well as the unique chance to stand at the “Point of Impact” of the Decorah Crater, formed when a 200-foot meteor hit the area 465 million years ago. Dunning’s Spring Park and Twin Springs Park have up-close experiences of the springs, waterfalls, and coldwater streams that are the hallmark of Northeast Iowa’s unique karst topography. Many songbirds–and hot kids–love to splash in the cold and shallow streams at these parks. For stunning views of the Upper Iowa River Valley, try the steep but achievable climb to Pulpit Rock Overlook at Will Baker Park, or accessible-by-car overlook at Phelps Park — which is home to great playgrounds too! Below the overlooks you’ll also see the Decorah Prairie — a prime location for summer songbirds and grassland species.

3. LUNCH LIKE A LOCAL

Family-friendly lunch spots are abundant in Decorah. Two local favorites include the famous square-sliced pizza at Mabe’s Pizza or tacos and burritos on the patio at Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant. Skip dessert at the restaurant and treat the crew to an ice cream cone instead! The Whippy Dip has been serving soft-serve cones, shakes, and a healthy dose of nostalgia through a walk-up window since the 1950s. If the line looks too long, or you prefer to choose between 30+ flavors of premium hard ice cream, visit Sugar Bowl down the street.

4. FIND EVEN MORE WATERFALLS

Just a 10 minute drive from Downtown Decorah, Malanaphy Springs State Preserve has a flat, 1-mile hiking trail that ends at a spring waterfall bubbling out of the cliffs and cascading into the Upper Iowa River. The rich hardwood forests support warblers, woodpeckers, catbirds, flycatchers, indigo buntings, and other woodland songbirds.

5. EXPLORE SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE

Heritage Farm is an 890-acre property that serves as headquarters of Seed Savers Exchange, one of the world’s leading seed preservation organizations. Several miles of well-marked hiking trails wind along a Goldwater trout stream, through woodlands, pastures, and prairies, and to a historic apple orchard. Likely species include a wide range of hawks, woodpeckers, warblers, orioles, sparrows, and woodland songbirds of all kinds. Make sure to spend a few minutes visiting the display gardens and perusing the Lillian Goldman Visitor’s Center.

6. TAKE TIME TO COOL OFF

Decorah has plenty of options if your group needs a break from birding! Sunflower Discovery Center is Northeast Iowa’s only children’s museum. It has an epic water table modeled after the local watershed, a small gym, a netted climbing structure and climbing wall, a toddler, zone, a dramatic play zone, and many other creative play features offering plenty for little hands and minds to create and explore. The Decorah Pool is the perfect place for everyone to cool off on a hot summer day.

7. ENJOY PIZZA ON THE FARM

One of Decorah’s most unique dining experiences also offers great birding. Luna Valley Farm is located along rural country roads northeast of Decorah. The outdoor-only, pizza-only restaurant is loved by locals, as well as the New York Times, Midwest Living Magazine, and many other national publications, for its amazing pizza, cold drinks, great views, and on-farm experiences. Kids love viewing the sheep and cattle dotting the hillside pastures and oak savannas. Luna Valley is reservation-only, so visit their website to book your spot.

8. FIND YOUR PERFECT HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Bluffside Gardens is a unique and family-friendly cabin resort nestled amongst the bluffs of Decorah. The property has easy access to the Trout Run Trail, Phelps Park, and the Downtown District — filled with shops and restaurants. Nearby Country Inn and Suites and Fairfield Suites by Marriott have the same great community access (plus pools!) while Pulpit Rock Campground is perfectly situated along a different portion of the Trout Run Trail, the Upper Iowa River, and Twin Springs Park.

DAY TWO: CONTINUE THE BIRDING ADVENTURE

9. EAT AT A BIRDER’S BREAKFAST SPOT

Wake up to the sound of birdsong right outside your front door. If staying at Bluffside Gardens — enjoy a cup of coffee on your patio as you watch hummingbirds, songbirds, and butterflies explore the native prairies and trees planted throughout the grounds. Then, head back downtown for breakfast at the aptly named Magpie Cafe and Coffeehouse, which has both hearty and light options, plus a great pastry case.

10. HIT THE HOTSPOT

Cardinal Marsh is probably Winneshiek County’s “hottest” birding hotspot. This 1,200 acre wildlife area is full of ducks, geese, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds. The best birding and easiest access is during the spring and early summer, when you can catch shorebird and waterfowl migration or nesting. An increasing number of both trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes have been nesting at the marsh each year, and even the most inexperienced birders are excited to hear the trumpeting call of a sandhill crane. The best parking for birdwatching is off Madison Road, on the southern border of the area. The wide, flat, grass trails and plentiful fronts, muskrats, and salamanders help keep Cardinal Marsh accessible and entertaining for everyone. Cardinal Marsh is a state wildlife area, so it is open for hunting during the fall waterfowl seasons and best avoided by birders during those times.

11. DISCOVER WINNESHIEK COUNTY’S HIDDEN GEM

Lake Meyer Park is one of Winneshiek County’s best hidden gems for both birding and family fun. The park as 3+ miles of wide, grass trails that wind through marshes, prairies, and both hardwood and pine forests. You’re likely to spot tree, bank, or barn swallows swooping over the water and warblers, woodpeckers, and catbirds among the oak, maple, and wild plum trees. A small trailhead is found by the tent camping area, or you can access the larger trail system by the park’s east parking lot.