Spencer, Iowa — Prairie View Lodge Bed and Breakfast is a year around destination in northwest Iowa on 500 plus acres of prairies.  The property also has 5 miles of mowed trails through our fields of grasses and forbs, a native prairie with indian burial mounds, native wetlands, and ponds.  Plus, the Little Sioux River runs on the property!

This very private prairie cottage with kitchenette, bunks or king size bed, TV, and shower (no tub), can accommodate you in the best that nature has to offer.   Guided tours available of the prairie, and other activities can include, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, and nature photography or just relaxing with the sounds of the prairie. Close to the bike trail, Iowa Great Lakes, the Little Swan Lake Winery, shopping and theatres, both movie and live performances, several county nature centers and other prairies.
- A year around destination
- Wireless internet access
- Radiant floor heating
- 42″ Screen LCD
- Complete Kitchenette
- Private bathroom with shower
- The Prairie View Lodge is a smoke-free establishment

The Prairie View Lodge is cozy and comfortable!

1765 290th Street
Spencer, IA 51301-7409
712.262.586

http://theprairieflower.com/Reserve.htm

Enjoy complete comfort in the Roswell Suite

Whiterock Resort
1390 Highway 141 Coon Rapids, IA 50058
Phone(712) 684-2964  Fax: (712) 684-2299
Rooms: 5   Suites: 2   Private Bath: 3   Shared Bath: 2
Pets, Credit Cards Accepted, Open Year Round

Hiking, fishing, trail rides (your horses or ours), canoes, and biking are all offered at this beautiful 4,500 acre resort.  Lodging choices include a luxurious and historical B&B farmhouse which Soviet Premier Khruschchev visited in 1959.

Guided programs include farm tours, alternative farm tours, wildlife viewing, and astronomy. The Resort also showcases an Iowa tall grass prairie, a wonderful garde, and a unique gift shop.

Many Iowa visitors love the winter activities scattered across the state. Especially the pockets of the state where rolling hills make for great family fun in the snow. Visitors seeking great snow-boarding and ski activities often head to Montezuma, just 60 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa. Many winter family reunions are enjoyed in this area.

Visiting groups to Montezuma often find it tricky to locate affordable accommodations conducive to a large number of guests, but IBBIA member, English Valley Bed & Breakfast features a variety of amenities with average rates less than those at comparable hotels. Pheasant hunting is also another winter activity the B&B is prepared for. This family farm owns over 2000 acres of farm ground including corn, beans, crp, filter strips, and a wetland. They also lease additional acres to give visiting hunters a great experience. They allow dogs in the rooms in the barn and have a heated bird cleaning room that has a large counter with running water and a freezer for game.

English Valley’s Big Red Barn is perfect for all your large gatherings - especially family reunions. The barn is also great place for class reunions, business meetings, retreats or any type of group. It can seat well over 100 people. The full kitchen can cater all your events for you. For more information go to www.englishvalleybnb.com

While winter activities are always fun, be sure you dressed for comfort and warmth! Layers hold in heat by trapping air pockets between the layers, and it is also advantageous because if you are in a warm room, you can take off a layer to feel more comfortable.

IBBIA innkeepers also recommend wearing mittens and thermal underwear as well.

Be sure to wear a thick winter coat and to remember to cover your face and ears when participating in outside activities. Most people often cover the central part of the body but forget about the peripheral parts such as toes, fingers, ears and the nose. These are the common body parts that are affected by the cold because heat flows out into the air through the extremities if not covered, and this results in significant heat loss — don’t make this mistake.

And, if traveling Iowa roads, always be prepared for bad weather. If you find yourself stuck outside in the middle of a snowstorm, heat is lost rapidly, resulting in hypothermia and frostbite, so travel well-prepared for freezing temperatures.

Timberview Bed and Breakfast
2011 Ringgold Union Street. Shannon City, IA 50861
Phone: 1-877-339-2431
Rooms: 4 Shared Bath: 1
Nonsmoking, Children Welcome, Hunting Dogs Accommodated, Open year round, Laundry Facilities, Two-car Garage, Other Meals Available, Cash or Check Accepted.

Shannon City is located in Union County, Iowa. Union County is often considered southwest Iowa’s wildlife and outdoor recreation capitol. Located along and near Highway 34, with easy access to Interstate 35 and I 80, the lakes and beautiful landscape are easily accessible to the avid sports man and all others who enjoy the beauty of nature.

Fall in southwest Iowa is seasoned with vivid color from early to middle October. The Timberview homestead is still active with crops, cattle and horses. There is abundant wildlife, including: deer, turkey, fox, quail and pheasant.

Union County has taken its place as one of the best pheasant hunting areas in the nation, and it is one of the few places you can mix good quail and pheasant hunting. The duck and goose hunting is also excellentl . Turkeys were stocked in the area in the late 70’s and have expanded into good hunting. The region has become a favorite for deer hunters as well.

Innkeepers Ron and Karen invite hunters to come and experience the privacy and comfort of Timberview. Call 1-877-339-2431 and inquire about special accommodations for hunters and their dogs.

Are you and outdoors enthusiast who would like to know more?  Well, the Mahaska County Conservation Board is sponsoring a “girls only” event from 9 am to 3pm April 28th at the Russell Wildlife Area for Women’s Outdoor Recreation Day.  Participants will learn how to navigate by GPS, improve their archery skills, shoot a rifle accurately, cook with a dutch oven at the campfire, bust clay pigeons with a shotgun and other outdoor skills.

All events will involve hands-on training.  Pre-registration required by April 20.  Call 641-673-9327.  Cost is $20 and the program is for adults only (18 and older).

After roughing it, come to the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B for a little pampering.  Reservations can be made on-line or call 641-673-4348

Okoboji, Iowa, is a hunters paradise in the fall. Okoboji is the catchall term for the Iowa Great Lakes recreation area that comprises five interconnected glacial lakes spanning more than 3,600 acres.

West Lake Okoboji is the most popular lake. It is 134-foot-deep and surrounded with little villages, resorts, cabins, cottages, restaurants, and gift shops. This classic resort area offers recreation galore.  And the local pheasant hunting is good.

Iowa is said to be one of the most popular states for pheasant hunting. 

If you are a deer hunter, you’ll be pleased to know there is very little hunting pressure on the Iowa Great Lakes deer during the archery season. It runs from Oct 1 - early December and reopens mid-December - mid January. The early part of the season runs through the pre-rut thru rut periods. 

Need lodging within 4 minutes of where you’re staying?  Give Connie Baschke a call at 712-240-6792.  Her B&B is near Heartland Kennels.  Heartland Kennels is just 3 ½ miles away. This is one of the best kennels in the area and it is owned by a top dog trainer. 

The DNR reports NW Iowa as having some of the higher number of pheasants this year.  A recent survey found higher pheasant numbers in northwest, north-central and central Iowa. The Iowa pheasant season is Oct. 28 through Jan. 10, 2007. Shooting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The daily bag limit is 3 rooster [male] pheasants and the possession limit is 12. The Iowa youth season is Oct. 21 to 22, with a daily bag limit of one rooster and possession limit of two.  Read more here…