Fish Farm Mounds (IA) Trails

Just south of New Albin IA, you can find a wonderful wild set of forested trails in the Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve. 

Indigenouse burial mounds
at Fish Farm Mounds

The preserve primarily features a group of 30 conical burial mounds from the indigenous Woodland people that you can reach after climbing stone steps next to parking area up to the terrace they were built on. Because they are located on a terrace above the highway, they seem like a hidden treasure - I seldom see people there.

Another hidden hidden treasure are the series of unmarked trails that can be found beside and behind the mounds in the preserve.There are two major trails that I will focus on although there are definitely more. If you want to explore others, it's a great spot to do it!

Both trails begin from the same place, to the immediate north of the mounds terrace. There is a well-worn dirt trail that heads directly west. The terrain takes you over a series of rolling hills and ridges with steep washes and valleys between them. Along the trail you'll see palnts, fungi and a wide variety of hardwood trees as the trail climbs and dips. Before long you will come to an intersection. 

Lower valley trail

To do a shorter, easier hike of a little under 2 miles, stay on the main trail you're on at the intersection. Watch on your right hand side for evidence of a badger's den - sandy dirt in piles next to large openings. You will continue to head upwards until you hit a turn to the right in the trail and cross the valley to the other side (about 3/4 mile in). You'll now be heading east and back to your start. The windy path gives you about 350 of elevation gain which makes this loop lots of fun.

About to head way up

The longer trail features additional elevation gain (a total of 570 feet) and some steeper, aerobic trails to reach the blufftop. To get there, at the initial intersection, take a left and follow the trail downward for a bit before heading back up. You will hit the steepest portion of the trail fairly quickly, climbing 330 feet in just over a half mile. On this portion, it's nice to stop and examine moss, fungi, ferns and flowers as well as practice your tree identification skills while you catch your breath along the way.

Stone cairn

Once you reach the bluff top, the terrain is easier but the trail is not. Fewer people use it, so it is faint and leaf covered. You can discern it if you are careful. Head straight-ish until you come to another larger spur trail to your left. You can leave that for later. Keep  following the trail that curves towards the right. You are now on the way to the overlook. A stone cairn marks the spot of the main overlook. 

A view from the overlook

You'll get a great view of of a great view of the Mississippi River looking south towards Lansing as well as glimpses through the trees of Kains Slough to the east. There is a small wild prairie up there as well. As you head back, take the spur, now on your right to explore some wide trails and stands of woods as well as views of the backside of that bluff. From there you can retrace your steps to the original trail and head back for a 3.1-3.3 mile hike depending on how much you explore the blufftop.

Both hikes are fun and leave you with a real sense of quiet and space in the woods. If the spring and summer are a wet ones, expect mosquito hordes so keep that in mind when planning this adventure.

If you are interested in more information on the burial mounds group, Big River Magazine published a detailed history a few years ago.

Shorter family-friendly hike
All Trails map

THE HIKE
Explore the conical burial mounds of indigenous Woodlands people and then head out on the unmarked trails to the north of the mounds terrace. A short, well-worn 2 mile loop trail heads straight west through forested rolling hills, small valleys and ridges. It is perfect for families and those who want a shorter hike. A second higher hike out-and-back higher to the top of the bluff starts by taking a left at the first trail intersection. This 3.1-3.4 mile hike has great views, a stone cairn, small prairie and wide vistas at the overlook. The trail to the overlook is very faint so caution is urged. There is a wider trail to the northwest of the overlook that joins other short trails for further explanation.

The Location

2692 IA-26, New Albin, IA. 

GPS: 43.456804002316034, -91.27848313569983

Located 6 miles south of New Albin Iowa on the west side of the highway.

3.1 mile hike to the overlook
All trails map


Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Looking for more area hikes? Please stop by the web version of the blog and under the "Labels" tab on the right hand side of the blog, click on "find-a-hike". There are over 75 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!