Join us for a Hitch Hike this Summer

Explore the beautiful Loess Hills at Hitchcock Nature Center during the 2021 Hitch Hike Series. Join us the third Tuesday of the month May through September as we hike through five different sections of the park. Each hike is led by Hitchcock Nature Center staff & will focus on the changing views of the park as we highlight seasonal plants, look for resident wildlife & discuss our important land stewardship mission.

Click each link below for more information on our planned 2021 Hitch Hike Series

May 18th, 7:00 p.m.

June 15th, 7:00 p.m.

July 20th, 7:00 p.m.

August 17th, 7:00 p.m.

September 21st, 6:00 p.m.

You can attend all of the offered Hitch Hikes or just pick the ones that work for your schedule. They are designed to introduce visitors to Hitchcock Nature Center as well as the Loess Hills & we start with a moderate trail and work towards a more strenuous hike by the end of the series in September.  Water bottles, bug spray, & sunblock are all recommended, please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. These events are open to participants of all ages but do include travel along uneven surfaces & may be strenuous at times. Strollers are not permitted.

We get a lot of questions about dogs joining their owners on these hikes. While well-behaved dogs are permitted we don't recommend their attendance. These are guided hikes & are designed to help participants better understand Hitchcock Nature Center & the Loess Hills. Dogs are great but they can be a distraction to their owners & to other participants so our recommendation is to attend without them & come back another time for a hike with your pooch. If you do choose to bring your canine companion please remember that they must on a leash at all times, you must pick up and remove their waste, and you may be asked to remain toward the rear of the group if there is a large number of participants. If your friend becomes disruptive we may have to ask that you leave the group.

These events require no pre-registration, just meet up with the group a little before start time. Most hikes will leave from the Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock Nature Center but our August Hitch Hike will meet at the Loess Hills Highway Overlook Deck located in the Hitchcock Nature Center campground. 

These events are also free with paid park admission of $5.00 per vehicle or a current Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation membership. However, if you would like to make a donation to the program we will gratefully accept it. Environmental Education donations are used to fund free & low cost programming at all Pottawattamie Conservation parks & habitat areas. Participants may purchase their daily pass with exact change or check at the front gate paybox. If you would like to purchase a Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation Membership online before your first Hitch Hike please visit www.pottawattamieconservationfoundation.com.

As with all outdoor programming there is the constant risk of cancellation. If the forecast looks questionable we highly recommend checking the Pottawattamie Conservation website or the Hitchcock Nature Center Facebook page for postponements or cancellations before leaving for the park.