Voas Nature Area is a beautiful 705-acre park in Dallas County. It has 600 acres of restored prairie and wetlands, 100+ acres of native woodlands—and 5 miles of trails! The good news is, it’s an easy 40-minute drive northeast of Des Moines.
A Brief History of Voas Nature Area
In the late 1980s, Dallas Co. assumed ownership of the 245-acre Voas Family Farm through the trust of Lyle and Mae Voss. The siblings laid out instructions for their future vision of the land—they wanted the farm ground returned to prairie, wetlands, and woodlands.
Dallas County also retained the Voas family’s museum with a vast collection of rare rocks, minerals, and fossils. The museum continues to house the geological display and exhibits on the history of the land.
The Voas Nature Center is now three times the size of the original boundaries of the Voas Family Farm. And each year it continues to improve and restore the land, and draw more visitors!
Things To Do at Voas Nature Area
Hike the trails
Five miles(!) of mowed trails wind through the prairie, wetlands, and woodlands of Voas Nature Area. Discover tons of wildflowers and wildlife along these peaceful trails! See the trail map here.
BirdWatch
The diverse habitat at Voas makes it an excellent place to go birdwatching! A wide range of waterfowl frequent the restored wetlands. Also, see different varieties of swallows, flycatchers, sandpipers, raptors, and more!
Voas Nature Area is part of the Makoke Birding Trail, a Central Iowa driving trail with some of the best birdwatching areas. And Ebird.com has a fantastic field checklist to use there!
Picnic
A mowed grassy area near the museum is the perfect picnic spot! From there, you can watch the birds and take in the fantastic views of the prairie.
Hunt
There are two hunting areas—a 100-acre youth area and a 333-acre public hunting area. Both require non-toxic ammunition. The youth-only hunting area is for those 15 years and younger, with a licensed adult (21+) and a special permit.
Learn
The small museum and observation tower are near the entrance to the park. Dallas County Conservation sometimes holds educational programs at the museum. It’s otherwise open by appointment only.
Tour the geology museum (and attend a program) to see rare fossils, rocks, and minerals. Other exhibits offer a history of the land. Keep in mind, the museum doesn’t keep regular hours. For information, contact Dallas County Conservation at 515-465-3577. And follow their Facebook page for up-to-date information.
One popular fall activity there is the Tiger Salamander migration. These amphibians spend the warmer months in the fields and woodlands around Voas. And they’re not usually easy to spot. But on a cool, damp night in October, hundreds migrate back to the wetlands, where they bury themselves in mud for the winter.
There’s no better way to learn about the prairie and wetlands than to get out in it! Explore the trails around Voas to learn more about the plants and animals that thrive there.
Maps of Voas Nature Area
Click on the links below to view maps:
Things to Do Nearby
A Raccoon River Valley Trail trailhead is east of Voas in Minburn. It’s an 89-mile paved rail-trail spanning four counties! Discover several excellent restaurants and things to see in the fourteen (14!) communities on the trail.
The North Raccoon River Water Trail runs west of the Voas Nature Area. The closest river access is Snyder Access (#52), one mile south of the park. For more on the water trail, see the Iowa DNR brochure and the Dallas Co. website.
Visit Voas Nature Area Today!
Voas Nature Area is at 19286 Lexington Rd, Minburn, IA 50167. It’s off gravel roads, just west of Minburn, Iowa.
Hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 10 pm, daily. A large gravel parking area is just off the road, and modern restrooms and water are on-site. But, bathrooms are closed during the winter months.
