Cayler Prairie State Preserve

Cayler Prairie is a 160-acre native prairie on the western edge of the Des Moines Lobe landform region. It is located three miles west of West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County. In 1944, botanist Ada Hayden visited the prairie, which was then being used as a hayfield and pasture, and recommended that it be preserved. In 1958, the Iowa Conservation Commission purchased the property from the Cayler family, who had owned the tract since settlement of the region in the 1860s. Cayler Prairie was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1966 and was dedicated as a state preserve in 1971. An additional 385 acres of former pasture and cropland to the north and east were purchased by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in 1998. 

About the Land

The preserve is located on the western limit of glacial advances that pushed into north-central Iowa between 13,000 and 14,000 years ago. Accumulations of glacial debris left behind as the ice stagnated and slowly melted formed the irregular assortment of knobs and basins seen across this preserve and its surroundings. These areas of hummocky terrain (low irregular hills) are part of the Bemis and Alta­mont end moraines, which mark the outermost lateral positions of the glacier. The moraines continue across the remainder of the Des Moines Lobe region of north-central Iowa, the portion of the state last touched by continental glaciation. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 86 on the west side of the town of Spirit Lake, take Highway 9 west 3.5 miles to 170th Avenue (sign: Cayler Prairie State Preserve—2 miles). 
2. Turn south (left) and go 2.5 miles to the preserve. 
3. A parking area is available on the east side of the road (sign: Cayler Prairie State Botanical Monument).

Plants

A total of 225 native plant species have been found in the prairie, including 35 species of grass. The prairie is dominated by:

• Big bluestem
• Indian grass
• Little blue­stem
• Muhly grass
• Blue grama grass

Pasqueflower, golden alexanders, ground­plum, and Lambert’s crazyweed are very common in the spring. By summer, gray-headed cone­flower, Culver’s root, sawtooth sunflower, and prairie rose are prominent bloomers. Missouri goldenrod, New England aster, and dotted gayfeather are abundant in the fall. 

Wildlife

A total of seventy-two vertebrate species includes four amphibians, seven reptiles, thirty-five birds, and twenty-six mammals. 

• Northern chorus frogs, the eastern tiger salamander, and prairie skink are some of the amphibians and reptiles that might be observed. 
• Common yellowthroat, bobolink, northern harrier, upland sand­piper, grasshopper sparrow, horned lark, and short-billed marsh wren are some of the birds that can be found at the preserve. 
• Mammals found here include the white-tailed jackrabbit, least weasel, and badger. 
• Over twenty-five species of butterflies have been reported from the preserve, including the Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, Arogos skipper, Ottoe skipper, regal fritillary, and dusted skipper. 

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory students use the preserve every summer, and much research has been done over the years. Hunting is permitted. Other state preserves in the vicinity include Freda Haffner Kettlehole, Silver Lake Fen, Anderson Prairie, and Cheever Lake.