Hayden Prairie State Preserve, National Natural Landmark in Howard County, Iowa.
Hayden Prairie State Preserve is a protected natural area in Howard County covering about 240 acres of prairie land. The grounds support more than 200 plant species along with diverse bird and butterfly populations across its open landscape.
Iowa purchased this land in 1945 and named it after botanist Ada Hayden, who worked to identify remaining prairie patches in the state. This acquisition marked the beginning of formal protection for this rare ecosystem.
This land represents the tallgrass prairie ecosystem that once covered much of Iowa before farming transformed the region. Walking through it, visitors experience what the landscape looked like for generations before modern agriculture arrived.
Entry is available from 50th Street, where you will find an informational kiosk and commemorative stone. Wear appropriate footwear since the grounds have uneven pathways and natural prairie terrain.
Each spring around Memorial Day, shooting stars flowers bloom across the grounds in a striking floral display. This represents one of the largest remaining prairie sections in Iowa outside the Loess Hills region.
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