Hardin City Woodland State Preserve

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State Preserves

Hardin City Woodland is a 25-acre preserve containing an upland forest. Named for the nearby remains of Hardin City, an early settlement, it is located six miles north of Eldora in the Iowa River Greenbelt of Hardin County. The area was purchased by the Iowa Conservation Commission in 1959 and was dedicated as a biological state preserve in 1968. 

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About the Land

Located near the eastern edge of the Des Moines Lobe landform region, the preserve contains a steep, north-facing slope along the narrow divide of a large me­ander of the Iowa River. The meander loop surrounds an alluvial bench formed by floodwaters associated with the melting of the Des Moines Lobe glacier 10,000 to 13,000 years ago. 

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Directions

  1. From the intersection of Highway 175 and Highway 215 in Eldora, take Highway 175 east 1 mile to County Road S56. 
  2. Turn north (left) and drive on this winding road for 4 miles to the town of Steamboat Rock. 
  3. Continue north through the town on County Road S56 for 3.5 miles, then turn west (left) onto 170th Street (sign: Iowa River Greenbelt Scenic Drive). 
  4. Drive west 1 mile on 170th Street to a T-intersection with V Avenue. 
  5. Jog north (right) 0.25 mile on V Avenue, then turn west (left) onto a continuation of 170th Street. 
  6. Go 2.5 miles on this winding road to the parking area on the south side of the road (sign: Sylvan Hill Park). 
  7. The preserve is on the north side of the road (sign: Hardin City Access).
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Flora

The upland portion of the woodland here is dominated by black maple, red oak, and basswood. Bitternut hickory, black maple, ironwood, basswood, and alternate-leaved dogwood are common occurrences in the understory. The floodplain portion contains a combination of silver maple, black walnut, red elm, butternut, and green ash in the overstory with common elder and greenbrier in the understory. The moist upland and hillslope provide excellent habitat for spring wildflowers. Snow trillium begins blooming in March and is quickly followed by spring beauty, hepatica, Dutchman’s breeches, nodding trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and mayapple.

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Nearby Natural Areas

 Other natural areas along the Iowa River Greenbelt include:

  • Fallen Rock and Mann Wilderness Area State Preserves
  • Wildcat Cave
  • Pine Lake State Park.
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