Koser Spring Lake Park

Cherokee sits close to some of the most scenic byways in Iowa. One of the most colorful drives come fall is the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, accessible from Peterson. And if you want to land trophy walleye, make a stop at the Little Sioux River near the dam on Linn Grove and enjoy a picnic in the public park located on either side of the river. The byway is a 36-mile loop that will take you through rolling rural scenery shaped by ice age glaciers and over the Waterman Creek and Little Sioux River several times before it brings you back to Peterson.

For a more ambitious Cherokee camper rental road trip, head to the Stone State Park in Sioux City, where around 20 miles of rugged trails await mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrian riders. Exploring the trails will invigorate you for the epic journey ahead on the 220-mile Loess Hills Scenic Byway, which passes through the state park. On this scenic drive, look forward to a bucolic backdrop of prairie and forest-covered bluffs, and windblown silt land formations in Western Iowa sprinkled here and there with archaeological sites that date back to 1000 AD.

You won't need to stray far from town to float on the Little Sioux River's Inkpaduta Canoe Trail. Winding from Spencer to Smithland for 134 miles, this watery course takes you on a slow-moving ride for a more contemplative appreciation of native wildlife along the way. Spy on great blue herons, soft-shelled turtles, and white-tailed deer.

If your time allows, step ashore on sand bars strewn with mussel shells and polished stones, with the occasional fossil, petrified bone, and ancient shark teeth in the mix. The canoe trail has plenty of access points and a few challenging obstacles within Cherokee County, so you can plan for a relaxing float or a camping and floating adventure over a period of three days or more.

Cherokee grew when the train came to town, so it's a fitting introduction to visit the Illinois Central Railroad Depot, and the Northwest Iowa Railroad Museum inside the railroad complex, to get to know the history of the town. Stroll around the historic downtown, a designated Cultural District, see the County Courthouse, and the Freedom Rock out front.

If your interests lie in archaeology, paleontology, and even astronomy, the Sanford Museum and Planetarium will satisfy the curiosity of all ages. Rotating displays also cover subjects as varied as natural history, geology, and the arts. You may even catch public planetarium shows held every Wednesdays and Sundays centered on topics about the cosmos and other themes.

Come January, music lovers are in for a treat when the Kee Live Music Festival headlines local musicians and award-winning performers. Park your rental motorhome at Koser Spring Lake Park and enjoy jam sessions and pub crawls happening in various venues around town. The weekend after Memorial Day, join thousands of rodeo enthusiasts when the annual Cherokee PRCA Rodeo kicks off. In addition to bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and tie-down roping competitions, other events include BBQ parties, a parade through town, and fun-filled activities geared for younger audiences.

Cherokee is just the start of a meandering journey that will take you around the sites and scenes of Northwest Iowa. If you'd like a family-friendly RV camping site by a lake, Koser Spring Lake Park fits the bill. With the Little Sioux River not far away, you’re sure to have a wonderful time waterfront camping near Cherokee. So book an RV rental in Cherokee today and start making unforgettable memories.