West Oak Forest

Discover West Oak Forest in Pacific Junction

West Oak Forest is located in west central Mills County. The 308 acre area of Loess Hills bluffland is adjacent to and overlooking the broad Missouri River floodplain. This is the second largest park within the Mills County Conservation Board’s park system. At 308 acres, it consists of forest, numerous hilltop prairie remnants, 7-acres of restored prairie, and well over 3 miles of hiking trails. On the lower south trail, you will find the "Prairie in the Loess Hills" interpretive panel with information about Iowa’s Loess Hills and native prairie. Work is presently underway to restore part of the park to an Oak Savanna. West Oak Forest is inhabited by many threatened and endangered species of the Loess Hills, including the Yucca Moth, Western Spadefoot Toad, Ottoe Skipper, Northern Grasshopper Mouse and various others.

This park is rich in cultural history as well, with many archaeologically significant sites, including many from the Glenwood Culture and older.