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Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve - Dickinson County

GPS Coordinates: 43.3461645, -95.2220116

Management: Private (see directions for access)

Description: This Nature Conservancy-owned State Preserve is one of the best examples of a glacial kettle anywhere in Iowa. As you walk north from the preserve;s southside parking lot,you will approach a huge depression with steep 30-40 ft. walls and sometime having shallow water in the bottom during wet year. Perched on hills above the Little Sioux River, it is not only a spectacular sight, but also a good place to find grassland birds.

Habitat: Tallgrass prairie and mixed haylands around the kettlehole and mixed-grass prairie on the dry, steep side slopes. Excellent for Bobolinks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Upland Plovers, Western Meadlowarks, Horned Larks and all typical grassland species.

Directions: If you are in Spirit Lake, go west to the Vick's Corner intersection of Hwys. 9 and 86. Turn south on Hwy 86. Watch for the Oh Shucks bait store. Directly across is the gravel road 210th st. Turn right on the gravel road, travelling 2 mi. west toward the Kettle Hole