Redtail Ridge Habitat Area
Discover Redtail Ridge Habitat Area in Cherokee
Red Tail Ridge Habitat Area was purchased by the county in 1980 with assistance from Wildlife Habitat Stamp funds. Portions of the area lie on both the east and west sides of the Little Sioux River south of County Road C44 approximately 4 miles south of Cherokee, Iowa.
Trail access is only available off of the C44 parking area. Parking is available off of C44 and 585th St.
The area is undeveloped and open to hunting during all state regulated hunting seasons. Camping and fires are not permitted.
Approximately 1 mile of trails are mowed and maintained at Red Tail Ridge.
The trails are popular among birdwatchers, hikers and cross-country skiers. The
northern portion of the area is a former gravel pit containing small, shallow
wetlands and grasslands that provide excellent pheasant hunting. The remainder
of the area is flood plain timber, containing many silver maples, cottonwoods
and walnut trees, and upland timber, mostly oak-hickory forest with hackberry
and elm. Several small prairie and savanna remnants are found near the ridge top
on the eastern boundary.
Fishing opportunity includes nearly one mile of Little Sioux River access. Local
residents recall a “fish trap” or weir built of stone in this portion of the
river, where indigenous tribes and early settlers did their fishing. The area
was often traveled and well-populated by indigenous people prior to European
settlement.