If you've been waiting for the right time to search for ancient treasures, now is it! After heavy rains and flooding, the Upper Iowa River often reveals some of its best-kept secrets—fossils that have been hidden beneath layers of sand and gravel.
As high waters rise and recede, they wash away sediment and expose many fossil-rich areas along the riverbanks, gravel bars, and especially near the limestone bluffs. These freshly uncovered "fossil bars" are excellent places to discover fossils that date back hundreds of millions of years—when Iowa was covered by a shallow tropical sea.
As you paddle downstream, you'll find gravel bars and shoreline areas that are only accessible by water, So keep an eye out for fossilized corals, brachiopods, crinoid stems, trilobite fragments, and other fascinating pieces of prehistoric history.
We shuttle you upstream so when you arrive at the landing, you can just mosey back to your campsite or cabin, kick back around the campfire, and share your fossil discoveries with family and friends.
Fossil hunting is just one of the many great escapes at Harvest Farm Campground that make camping here so special.
Ready for your own fossil adventure? Reserve your campsite or Amish-built cabin today and discover why the Upper Iowa River is one of the Midwest's hidden gems for outdoor fun and fossil hunting!
