Retz Woods State Preserve

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State Preserves

Lyle Retz Memorial Woods is a 49-acre preserve featuring a rugged forested area in the Paleozoic Plateau landform region. It is located 4.5 miles southeast of Elkader in Clayton County. 

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About the Land

The area was purchased in 1965 from the Kopp family by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The area was dedicated as a biological and geological state preserve in 1980 and named in memory of Lyle Retz, a key member in pursuing the purchase of the property. 

One of his sons wrote, "A piece of native timber, regarded as worthless by some, yet priceless by dad, unspoiled, left as God made it, is a living memorial more grand, more meaningful than any granite or marble stone could be. This has been a great tribute." 

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Directions

  1. From the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 56 on the south side of Elkader, take Highway 13 north for 1.25 miles to Grape Road. 
  2. Turn east (right) and follow this winding road 3.5 miles to Galaxy Road. 
  3. Turn south (right) and go 3 miles to the Motor Mill at the intersection of Galaxy Road and Grain Road. 
  4. Turn left (east) onto Grain Road, then  drive past the campground (headed north) and park in front of a sign stating "no vehicles past this point". 
  5. On foot, cross the ravine to your right (east).
  6. Hike a quarter-mile uphill (strenuous) a ridge to the northeast.
  7. Once atop the ridge, hike north to a fence separating  public land from a private hayfield. The preserve lies east of that hayfield; climb across the fence corner into the southwest corner of the preserve.
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Geology

The preserve displays the dissected terrain typical of the Paleozoic Plateau in northeast Iowa. A deep ravine cuts through the eastern portion of the preserve. Picturesque limestone ridges and chimneys located along the eastern edge of the preserve belong to 450-million-year-old sedimentary rock of Ordovician age. 

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Plants

Massive blocks of limestone slumped from nearby rock outcrops are covered with lush expanses of:

  • Walking ferns
  • Mosses
  • Liverworts
  • Lichens

The highly dissected nature of the land results in a great diversity of plant habitats, with over 130 vascular plant species plus many species of bryophytes (mosses and liver­worts) and lichens. 

Dr. R. W. Poulter of Iowa Wesleyan College has described Retz Woods as “truly a botanist’s paradise.” 

White oak predominates level uplands in the western portion of the preserve with red oak and sugar maple becoming dominant in the canyonlike central and eastern portions. 

The understory contains: 

  • Sugar maple
  • Red elm
  • White ash
  • Blue beech
  • Ironwood
  • Gooseberry
  • Virginia creeper
  • Wild grape
  • Carrion flower 

Canada yew is common on bluffs along the eastern edge of the preserve. 

Among the many woodland ferns and wildflowers found in the preserve are:

  • Wild lily-of-the-valley
  • Jack-in-thepulpit
  • Nodding trillium
  • Hepatica
  • Showy orchis
  • Solomon’s seal
  • Rattlesnake fern
  • Maidenhair fern
  • Northern lady fern
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Birds & Species

It is an important habitat for birds such as scarlet tanagers, pileated woodpeckers, and ruffed grouse. 

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Visitor Information

Hunting is not permitted. 

Other natural or geological areas in the vicinity include Brush Creek Canyon, Mossy Glen, Bixby, and White Pine Hollow State Preserves, and Backbone State Park.

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