Tucked into the rolling prairies of Kossuth County, Ambrose A. Call State Park offers 130 acres of surprisingly rugged terrain in one of Iowa’s flattest regions. Named after a local state senator who championed conservation, the park preserves a rare pocket of native hardwood forest along the Des Moines River’s east fork — a landscape that feels worlds apart from the surrounding farmland.

The park’s defining feature is its wooded ravines, where towering oaks, basswoods, and walnuts create a dense canopy that blazes with color each autumn. A network of trails winds through these ravines and along ridgelines, offering moderate hikes with enough elevation change to surprise visitors who assume Iowa is all flat ground. Birdwatchers will find the forest especially rewarding, with woodpeckers, warblers, and wild turkeys regularly spotted among the trees.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing draw winter visitors to the same trails, and the park’s relatively quiet reputation means you’ll often have the woods to yourself. Picnic areas and shelters are scattered throughout, making it an easy stop for families exploring northern Iowa.

Fall is the standout season here — the hardwood forest puts on one of the better color shows in the region, typically peaking in mid-October. Spring wildflower displays along the ravine floors are another highlight worth timing a visit around.

For travelers crossing Iowa’s northern tier, Ambrose A. Call is a welcome reminder that the prairie state has more topographic personality than its reputation suggests.

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