Western Region, IA Land for Sale

The Western region of Iowa borders Minnesota to the north, Missouri to the south and South Dakota and Nebraska to the west, with the Missouri River forming the western border. Sioux City is the largest city in the region, with Council Bluffs also being a larger city. The Iowa Great Lakes is in this region, and features several resort areas such as Spirit Lake, Arnolds Park Lake and the Okoboji Lake. The region also features historical sites, such as the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn and the Fort Museum and Frontier Village in Fort Dodge. Orange City features an annual Tulip Festival, which celebrates the Dutch heritage of the region. Other attractions include Sergeant Floyd River Museum in Sioux City and Council Bluffs features three casino resorts, Western Historic Trails Center, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Grenville 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 region, most notably are Gull Point State Park, Oak Grove State Park, Stone State Park, Storm Lake State Wildlife Management Area, Lake Manawa State Park, De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, Wilson Island State Park, Preparation Canyon State Park, Springbrook State Park and Green Valley State Park. Some higher education institutions in the region include Briar Cliff University, Buena Vista University, Dordt College, Morningside College, Northwestern College, St. Luke's College, Iowa Western Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College, Northwest Iowa Community College ? Sheldon, Southwestern Community College and Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Dickinson County is in the north central part of Iowa's Western region, and borders Minnesota to the north. It was named in honor of Daniel S. Dickinson, a U.S. Senator for New York. Spirit Lake is the largest city and the county seat. Other larger cities in the county are Milford, Arnolds Park and Lake Park, and there are six other cities and less than 15 townships and unincorporated communities. The county is part of the Iowa Great Lakes area, which includes West Okoboji Lake, East Okoboji Lake and Spirit Lake, making it a popular vacation spot for Iowans. They are the largest natural lakes in Iowa, and the largest, Spirit Lake is more than 5,500 acres. Other attractions in the Iowa Great Lakes are the Abbie Gardner Cabin and Museum, the Spine Trail, a hiking trail that reaches nearly every natural habitat in the county, the Iowa Great Lakes Trail and West Big Spirit Lake Trail. Okoboji hosts an annual Winter Games event in January, which is a popular event featuring events such as the Ice Man Run, a broomball tournament, kids ice fishing contest, a snowmobile run, dog sled rides and a chili cookoff. Additionally, there are 11 county parks encompassing more than 600 acres, most 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 region, and 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 Woodbury, a 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 Moville, and there are 13 other small cities and more than 20 townships and unincorporated communities. There are 16 county parks and conservation areas, which include the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, Fowler Forest Preserve, Owego Wetland Complex and Riverside Bluffs. Other attractions include a hotel and casino, a children's museum, Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation, Sgt. Floyd River Museum, a dry-docked riverboat, Stone 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 region, and is bordered by Nebraska and the Missouri River to the west. It is very close to the large city of Omaha, and is included in its metropolitan area. Council Bluffs is the largest city in the county and the county seat. Carter Lake, Oakland and Avoca are other larger cities, and 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 Trail, four golf courses and clubs, Western Iowa Wine Trail, Mt. Crescent Ski Area and Historic General Dodge House, a National Historic Landmark. A branch of Iowa Western Community College is in the county.