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Knapp Prairie: A Loess Hills Gem

Discover the beauty of Iowa's Loess Hills at Knapp Prairie, a vibrant tallgrass prairie preserve teeming with diverse plant and animal life.

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Knapp Prairie, located in Plymouth County, Iowa, is a stunning example of a preserved tallgrass prairie within the unique Loess Hills formation. Donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1997, it showcases diverse plant and animal life, including the regal fritillary butterfly, and offers breathtaking vistas for hikers.

A brief summary to Knapp Prairie

  • Monday 7 am-7 pm
  • Tuesday 7 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 7 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 7 am-7 pm
  • Friday 7 am-7 pm
  • Saturday 7 am-7 pm
  • Sunday 7 am-7 pm

Local tips

  • Wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain can be steep and rugged in places.
  • Bring binoculars for optimal birdwatching and butterfly viewing opportunities.
  • Visit during the summer months to see the prairie in full bloom and witness the vibrant butterfly populations.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Sioux City, take Highway 12 north to County Road K18. Go north on K18 about 3 miles to Weber Road. Turn east on Weber Road and travel about 2.6 miles. The preserve is south of the road. There is no fee to enter the preserve. Parking is available at the preserve entrance.

Unlock the Best of Knapp Prairie

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Discover more about Knapp Prairie

Knapp Prairie, a Nature Conservancy preserve in Plymouth County, Iowa, offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of a native tallgrass prairie. This rare mesic Loess Hills prairie, saved from agricultural conversion, is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species. Visitors can explore the prairie on foot, taking in the breathtaking vistas and observing the unique flora and fauna. The terrain is steep and rugged in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Keep an eye out for snakes, insects, and grassland birds as you hike. Knapp Prairie is particularly significant as a conservation area for prairie butterflies, including the regal fritillary. More than 900 of these striking orange and yellow butterflies have been observed in a single survey, making Knapp Prairie one of the largest U.S. populations of this butterfly. The Conservancy actively manages the prairie, harvesting seeds from plants that attract these butterflies for use in restoring other prairies in the area. The prairie's plant life is equally impressive, with species such as big bluestem, fringed puccoon, ground plum, heath aster, Indian grass, lead plant, little bluestem, New Jersey tea, prairie larkspur, purple prairie clover, prairie turnip, prairie violet, purple coneflower, purple locoweed, rough blazing star, sideoats grama, silky aster, snow-on-the-mountain, toothed evening primrose, and stiff goldenrod all thriving here.

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