Bluffton Fir Stand

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State Preserves

Bluffton Fir Stand is a 94-acre preserve featuring a sheer limestone bluff up to 140 feet high that contains one of the largest populations of balsam fir in Iowa, a “boreal” tree species typically found much farther north in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada. It is located in Winneshiek County eight miles northwest of Decorah, directly south of the town of Bluffton. Bluffton Fir Stand was dedicated as a biological and geological state preserve in 1969. 

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About the Land

Geologically, the most conspicuous feature of the preserve, located in the Paleozoic Plateau landform region, consists of precipitous, Ordovician-aged (450 million years old) limestone cliffs. The balsam firs are found mainly on cliffs on the lower parts of the slopes in the preserve. On the forest floor beneath the firs is a dense understory of Canada yew, as well as nodding wild onion, Canada mayflower, and downy Solomon’s seal. 

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Directions

  1. From the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 52 in Decorah, take Highway 52 north 2 miles to Pole Line Road (W20). 
  2. Go west (left) 3 miles to Bluffton Road. 
  3. Turn north (right) and go for 7 miles on Bluffton Road. 
  4. Just after crossing the Upper Iowa River, turn south (left) onto Village Road. The parking lot next to the Upper Iowa River by this intersection (sign: Bluffton Fir Stand State Preserve) is for canoe access only.
  5.  From this parking area, continue driving on Village Road along the river into the town of Bluffton, where Village Road becomes Old Springs Road. 
  6. At a T-intersection, turn west (left) onto West Ravine Road, cross the Upper Iowa River, and drive 0.25 mile from the bridge to the western end of the preserve. 
  7. Park on the wide shoulder on the east (left) side of the road.
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Plants & Trees

Over 340 native vascular plants have been recorded at this preserve. The forest canopy on the upper slopes consists mainly of: 

  • Red oak
  • Sugar maple
  • Basswood. 

The herbaceous undergrowth in spring here includes:

  • Bloodroot
  • Snow trillium
  • Hepatica
  • Dutchman’s breeches
  • Wild geranium

By June, the early spring ephemerals are replaced by:

  • Solomon’s seal
  • Jacob’s ladder
  • Thimbleweed. 

In the fall the area includes:

  • Asters
  • Goldenrods
  • Indian pipe 

In the western portion of the preserve the slopes become gentler. Bur oak, northern pin oak, and eastern red cedar are the dominant trees, with scattered big-tooth aspen among them. Prairie plants can be seen on a goat prairie on a steep, rocky, south-facing slope. Hoary puccoon, bastard toadflax, and early buttercup begin blooming here by May. By July, butterfly milkweed, wild bergamot, and thimbleweed bloom, followed by big and little bluestem and sideoats grama, plus smooth aster, stiff gentian, and field goldenrod. 

Hunting is permitted. 

Other natural and geological areas in the vicinity include Malanaphy Springs and Decorah Ice Cave State Preserves.

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