Cameron Woods State Preserve

Cameron Woods is a 36-acre preserve containing an upland woods. It is located 1 mile west of Maysville and 8.5 miles northwest of Davenport in central Scott County. 

About the Land

The area was purchased in 1977 by the Iowa Conservation Commission and was dedicated as a biological state preserve in 1978. The preserve’s gentle loess-covered slopes are typical of the topography of the eastern portion of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain landform region. The rolling hills of this upland woodland community gradually descend toward Hickory Creek to the north. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of I80 and I-680 northwest of Davenport, take I-80 west 3.5 miles to County Highway Y40 (exit 284). 
2. Go north on County Road Y40 (60th Avenue) into the town of Plain View. 
3. In Plain View, turn east (right) onto Highway 130 and go about 2.8 miles to 85th Avenue. 
4. Turn north (left) onto 85th Avenue, park on the roadside, and walk a short distance west along Highway 130 to a path leading into the preserve (sign: Cameron Woods State Preserve).

Trees & Flora

The forest is dominated by red oak. The preserve is a good representative of a mature hardwood forest, and contains several white oak trees that are about 175 years old. The preserve has an excellent display of spring flora beginning with bloodroot as early as March. In April and May more flora begins blooming, including:

• Downy yellow violet
• Squirrel corn
• Columbine
• Starry false Solomon’s seal 

Birds

• Brown creepers
• Baltimore orioles
• Rose-breasted grosbeaks
• Song sparrows
• Assorted warblers
• Woodpeckers 

These are a few of the resident bird species. 

Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Rock Creek Island State Preserve and the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center.