How to Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Cedar Valley, Iowa
There’s something in the water in the Cedar River, and it’s the anticipation of what’s to come for the Cedar Valley, Iowa, area.
The Cedar River Recreation Project is creating more whitewater adventure opportunities, fishing jetties, connections to riverfront trails, accessibility upgrades and bank improvements along the river in Cedar Falls. The project’s completion is expected to add vibrancy to the riverfront, making it one of the region’s premier outdoor destinations.
“This is a project that has been dreamt about by our community members for more than 15 to 20 years,” says Ron Gaines, Cedar Falls city administrator.
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Making Waves in the City of Waverly
Upstream to the north of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area is the Cedar River community of Waverly, where CrawDaddy Outdoors operates. If you have an itch to get on the water, they have everything you need from kayaks to canoes to camping equipment and outdoor adventure supplies.
Jamie Borglum owns the store with his wife, Renee, and holds kayak demonstrations, adventure trips, a paddle fest and more to get people experiencing water sports.
“Any time you are out on the water, you have that connection to nature,” Borglum says. “It’s just fun.”
Tiffany Schrage, special events and tourism director with the Waverly Chamber of Commerce, agrees. “Kayaking on the scenic Cedar River that winds through Waverly is an amazing opportunity to paddle and enjoy nature at its best,” Schrage says.
Taking in the Tunes
Aside from the Cedar River, Borglum also makes his way to the nearby Wapsipinicon River as well.
“Our whole mission is to build and support a community of people who love the outdoors,” Borglum says.
Rivers are not only for recreation in the Cedar Valley. The Cedar River flowing through Waverly provides a beautiful backdrop for the annual Concerts in Kohlmann series at Kohlmann Park. The concerts are held in the majestic Shades of Rhythm Amphitheater, which doubles as a piece of public art.
“The amphitheater has become an iconic landmark in Waverly,” Schrage says. “People love it and look forward to our eight-week concert series each year. We host over 400 people every Thursday night in June and July. It has become a tradition for not only Waverly, but also surrounding communities.”
Along with concerts, the park serves several other purposes.
“It gives the public a centralized location for all to enjoy in the heart of our community,” Schrage says. “The fact that it is nestled on the banks of the scenic Cedar River makes it a picturesque spot to host a variety of events. The river access also allows us to include opportunities for river recreation.”
By investing in outdoor recreation, the Cedar Valley is improving the quality of life for its residents and offering more amenities for prospective talent.
“You want to keep your talent here for the workforce,” Gaines says.
In the Cedar Valley, parks with water access include George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, Cedar Bend Park in Waverly and Heery Woods State Park in Clarksville. Then, there’s Big Woods Lake Recreation Area and Hartman Reserve Nature Center in Cedar Falls.
The Cedar Valley Trails Partnership oversees an array of scenic routes for outdoor enthusiasts.
Spanning over 100 miles, the region’s trails wind through picturesque landscapes, including lush woodlands, serene rivers and nature preserves. Well-maintained and accessible, these trails cater to all skill levels, making them the perfect places to explore the natural beauty of Cedar Valley.
Borglum is an advocate for the outdoors in Iowa. He says many might not think of the state when it comes to natural beauty, but it is there if you search for it.
“I really enjoy finding different places and exploring different areas and showing people Iowa is beautiful in and of itself,” he says.
Little Known Fun Facts for Sports Fans
In the Cedar Valley, there’s a hidden world of sports history and unique athletic achievements.
Oldest Disc Golf Course
Disc golf was formally recognized as a sport in the late 1970s, and Tourist Park in Cedar Falls was the state’s first course in 1978 and the third to be established in the U.S. Today, Tourist Park features 18 holes and is considered beginner-friendly, and it even has water hazards on holes 14-16. Other disc golf courses in the Cedar Valley are available at Big Woods Lake Recreation Area, Cedar River Exchange Park and Brookwood Park.
Baseball Field Is Best in State
Iowa residents are proud of their parks, and Mikkelson Park in New Hampton is one of the most beautiful in the state. Mikkelson has playgrounds, a large wooden jungle gym, swimming pool, pickleball courts and a walking/jogging path. Its baseball field has even garnered a prestigious honor. Mikkelson Ballpark once earned a “Diamond of the Year Award” from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association.
– Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.
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Want to learn more about living and working in Cedar Valley? Check out the latest edition of Livability Live the Valley.