Council Bluffs

Loess Hills State Forest
40 mi north in Pisgah (http://www.iowadnr.gov/fo...), offers a sort of oasis in the farmlands of Iowa. Camping and fishing are available. This is arguably the state's most interesting state park or forest.

Elk Horn is 50 mi east and the nation's largest rural Danish settlement from the prairie days. The Danish Windmill is a state treasure.