Woodman Hollow State Preserve

Woodman Hollow State Preserve is a 63.5-acre area featuring a deep forested ravine. Formerly known as “Woodman’s Hollow,” this preserve is located 6.5 miles southeast of Fort Dodge in Webster County. 

About the Land

In 1927, the Board of Conservation purchased the property from the Woodman family as a “preserve.” It became a popular picnic area during the 1930s and 1940s. It was formally dedicated as a biological, geological, and archaeological state preserve in 1970. 

Located in the Des Moines Lobe landform region, the preserve contains a deep forested ravine along the Des Moines River, surrounded generally by a level landscape. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 169 on the southwest side of Fort Dodge, drive east on Highway 20 for 3 miles to County Road P59 (Nelson Avenue). 
2. Turn south (right) and drive for 2 miles (through Coalville and Kalo) to 250th Street. 
3. Turn east (left) and follow this winding road (which becomes Woodman’s Hollow Road) for 1.5 miles to the preserve entrance on the south side of the road (sign: Woodman Hollow Preserve).

Geography

Ravine

The ravine was created by a short tributary of the Des Moines River that has cut through 12,000- to 14,000-year-old glacial deposits and become incised in the underlying sandstone bedrock. The resulting canyon is flanked by rugged, layered sand­stone cliffs along the stream valley. 

This sandstone originated in an ancient river channel that once flowed through this part of Iowa during the Pennsylvanian period of geologic time, 300 million years ago. Today the stream meanders through the deep canyon of the preserve and joins the Des Moines River, which forms its eastern boundary. 

The stream is fed by a spring near the western boundary, which forms a twelve-foot waterfall during wet periods and heavy rainfall. 

Historical Structures

Two prehistoric rock shelters found here include evidence of Woodland Indian occupation (over 750 years ago), as well as possibly Archaic Indian (over 2,800 years ago) use. 

A historical concrete bridge foundation, located in the valley, and two small latrine structures, in the northwest corner of the preserve, were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). 

Plants

The gently sloping uplands, plus abrupt north- and south-facing slopes of the preserve, provide diverse habitats for over 500 species of plants, including thirteen ferns and 142 mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. 

The most abundant canopy trees are white oak and red oak on the drier uplands, with basswood and black maple prevailing on mesic, north-facing slopes. As early as March, snow trillium can be found blooming, followed by:

• Bloodroot
• Hepatica
• Hairy blue violet
• Early meadow rue
• Wild ginger
• Downy yellow violet
• Bishop’s cap
• Bellwort
• White trout-lily

In June, bracted orchid, American bellflower, wild sarsaparilla, and Indian pipe begin to bloom. 

By fall, fall coralroot orchid and Ontario aster are seen along with spotted jewelweed. 

The steep slopes and valley floor support one of the most varied fern and fern ally floras in the state, including: 

• Shining clubmoss
• Goldie’s wood fern
• Slender rockbrake fern
• Interrupted fern
• Ostrich fern 

Several small prairie openings occur on the north rim of the canyon. Big and little bluestem dominate these prairies, along with redroot and leadplant. 

Blooms in April and May include:

• Golden alexanders
• Pussytoes
• prairie phlox
• Prairie violet
• Hoary puccoon
• Blue-eyed grass
• Golden ragwort 

In June, they are followed by:

• A few thimbleweed
• Pale purple coneflower
• Prairie coreopsis
• Spiderwort
• White prairie clover
• Gray-headed coneflower 
• Few-flowered scurf-pea 

By July and August, thimbleweed, roundheaded bush clover, showy tick-trefoil, field goldenrod, and silky aster may be seen. 

Visitor Information

Other natural areas in the vicinity include Dolliver State Park and Brushy Creek and Liska-Stanek State Preserves.