Western RegionIA Land for Sale

The Western region of Iowa borders Minnesota to the northMissouri to the south and South Dakota and Nebraska to the westwith the Missouri River forming the western border. Sioux City is the largest city in the regionwith Council Bluffs also being a larger city. The Iowa Great Lakes is in this regionand features several resort areas such as Spirit LakeArnolds Park Lake and the Okoboji Lake. The region also features historical sitessuch as the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn and the Fort Museum and Frontier Village in Fort Dodge. Orange City features an annual Tulip Festivalwhich celebrates the Dutch heritage of the region. Other attractions include Sergeant Floyd River Museum in Sioux City and Council Bluffs features three casino resortsWestern Historic Trails CenterUnion Pacific Railroad MuseumGrenville M. Dodge House(a National Historic Landmark which was the home of a Union general and politician)and the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. Northwest Iowa has some of the largest concentrations of wind turbine farms in the world.

There are more than 40 state parks and wildlife areas in the regionmost notably are Gull Point State ParkOak Grove State ParkStone State ParkStorm Lake State Wildlife Management AreaLake Manawa State ParkDe Soto National Wildlife RefugeWilson Island State ParkPreparation Canyon State ParkSpringbrook State Park and Green Valley State Park. Some higher education institutions in the region include Briar Cliff UniversityBuena Vista UniversityDordt CollegeMorningside CollegeNorthwestern CollegeSt. Luke's CollegeIowa Western Community CollegeIowa Lakes Community CollegeNorthwest Iowa Community College ? SheldonSouthwestern Community College and Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Dickinson County is in the north central part of Iowa's Western regionand borders Minnesota to the north. It was named in honor of Daniel S. Dickinsona U.S. Senator for New York. Spirit Lake is the largest city and the county seat. Other larger cities in the county are MilfordArnolds Park and Lake Parkand there are six other cities and less than 15 townships and unincorporated communities. The county is part of the Iowa Great Lakes areawhich includes West Okoboji LakeEast Okoboji Lake and Spirit Lakemaking it a popular vacation spot for Iowans. They are the largest natural lakes in Iowaand the largestSpirit Lake is more than 5,500 acres. Other attractions in the Iowa Great Lakes are the Abbie Gardner Cabin and Museumthe Spine Traila hiking trail that reaches nearly every natural habitat in the countythe Iowa Great Lakes Trail and West Big Spirit Lake Trail. Okoboji hosts an annual Winter Games event in Januarywhich is a popular event featuring events such as the Ice Man Runa broomball tournamentkids ice fishing contesta snowmobile rundog sled rides and a chili cookoff. Additionallythere are 11 county parks encompassing more than 600 acresmost notably is the Dickinson County Nature Center in Kenue Park. Buena Vista University and Iowa Lakes Community College are in this county. The Iowa State University Extension in the county is helpful for outreach and economic development.

Woodbury County is located in the western part of Iowa's Western regionand borders Nebraska and a small part of South Dakota and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is named for Levi Woodburya senator and Governor of New Hampshire and a Supreme Court justice. It is the third largest county by land area in the state. Sioux City is the largest city and the county seat. Other larger cities are Sergeant Bluff and Movilleand there are 13 other small cities and more than 20 townships and unincorporated communities. There are 16 county parks and conservation areaswhich include the Dorothy Pecaut Nature CenterFowler Forest PreserveOwego Wetland Complex and Riverside Bluffs. Other attractions include a hotel and casinoa children's museumMid America Museum of Aviation and TransportationSgt. Floyd River Museuma dry-docked riverboatStone State Park and the Railroad Museum Sioux City. Briar Cliff University and Morningside College are in this county and Iowa State University also has an extension for community outreach.

Pottawattamie County is located in the southwestern part of Iowa's Western regionand is bordered by Nebraska and the Missouri River to the west. It is very close to the large city of Omahaand is included in its metropolitan area. Council Bluffs is the largest city in the county and the county seat. Carter LakeOakland and Avoca are other larger citiesand there are 14 other small cities and more than 30 other townships and unincorporated communities. Part of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is located in the county. There are eight county parks and wildlife areas and other attractions include the Wabash Trace Nature Trailfour golf courses and clubsWestern Iowa Wine TrailMt. Crescent Ski Area and Historic General Dodge Housea National Historic Landmark. A branch of Iowa Western Community College is in the county.