Iowa Prairie Trail Leads to Hidden-Gem Pond and Sunflower Plot

Hiking and exploring every piece of natural beauty my family can find in our great state has become a weekly occurrence, however, there are always a few specific places that seem to bring us back to them. Whether it's because of proximity, past experiences, or simply to pass an hour or two, the one I'm talking about today is a favorite of mine to revisit.

Ringneck Ridge in Dubuque County, between Cascade and Worthington, has become a regular stomping ground of my family's and for good reason. It offers up a two-mile loop trail that leads to blackberry bushes, a fully stocked and hidden pond, and several food plots. When it comes to the food plots, we're always on the lookout for the sunflowers. Well, this past weekend we finally found the plot. It's currently early in the season, but many are already bloomed with tons still just days away from exposing their beautiful bright yellow petals. Plus, the cost of a hike to see them is always free here, and a little exercise never hurt anyone.

Credit: Tom Drake | The pond at Ringneck Ridge, Dubuque County.

What makes Ringneck Ridge even more special is that it didn't simply happen by accident. The 160-acre wildlife area was originally acquired through the efforts of Dubuqueland Pheasants Forever and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation before the Dubuque County Conservation Board purchased it in 2005 with the help of an Iowa Habitat Stamp Grant. Since then, volunteers and conservation staff have restored native prairie, planted trees, maintained food plots and improved habitat for everything from pheasants and pollinators to waterfowl. The pond tucked away at the back of the property was restored to provide better habitat for ducks and geese while also giving anglers another quiet place to drop a line. Today, the area remains open to hikers, birdwatchers, anglers, and hunters alike. This place is a real-world reminder of what can happen when conservation groups and local communities work toward the same goal.

Credit: Tom Drake | The bounty of Ringneck Ridge, Dubuque County.

The hidden pond is where much of our time is spent here. It's a bit of a hike out with the fishing gear, but the water is calm, the swallows pick bugs right off the water midflight, and there are usually a few decent fish to catch, in addition to ducks and geese on the water and the occasional deer or two. I have even taken my kids out for the random hunting excursion here as it's close to home and provides plenty of animal necessities amongst a sea of corn and soybean fields which disappear each fall. Check out the full video below, then plan your trip before the sunflowers disappear.

Places like Ringneck Ridge remind me that you don't always have to travel far to find an adventure. Sure, I may be giving up one of my favorite hidden gems here, but nature is to be shared; as long as you respect it, keep it clean, and enjoy it with family and friends. Sometimes it's a familiar trail, a patch of blooming sunflowers, or a quiet pond where the swallows skim the water that keeps you coming back. Every return is a little different, but that's exactly the point. Nature has a way of making even well-worn paths feel brand new with each visit.