Elkader, IowaBridge StreetBixby State PreserveSpook CaveChicken RidgeBig Springs Wildlife Management AreaBussey Lake
Plan a tripOpen the map

Places to visit near

Elkader

Elkader is a town in Clayton district, Iowa, United States of about 1,213 people. Within 50 km by road there are 92 places to visit: 17 forts & heritage, 16 museums and 14 hill stations & viewpoints. The must-see places are Bridge Street, Bixby State Preserve and Spook Cave.

42.8539° N, 91.4054° WPop. 1,213

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Within 30 km18 places
Within 50 km92
Must-see46
Notable226
Best timeOctober to February

Start here

The 3 places worth the trip

Bridge Street, heritage site near Elkader
Must-see

Bridge Street

Heritage site · 1 km

Bixby State Preserve, nature spot near Elkader
Must-see

Bixby State Preserve

Nature spot · 25 km

Must-see

Spook Cave

Cave · 27 km

Places near Elkader by type

All 272 places by distance →

One day from Elkader

5 stops, one loop, back by 6:08 pm

135 km on the road, in driving order so you don’t double back. Times assume an 8 am start and typical visit lengths.

  1. Leave Elkader
  2. Chicken Ridgeviewpoint · 1 hrs
  3. Bixby State Preservenature spot · 2 hrs
  4. Bussey Lakelake · 45 min
  5. Spook Cavecave · 1 hrs
  6. Big Springs Wildlife Management Areanature spot · 2 hrs
  7. Back in Elkader
Today’s loopElkaderStopStraight lines between stops — distances are road estimates
Imagery © Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Questions people ask

What are the best places to visit near Elkader?

Bridge Street (heritage site, about 1 km), Carter House Museum (museum, about 1 km), Earthmoving Legacy Center (museum, about 3 km), Bixby State Preserve (nature spot, about 25 km), Spook Cave (cave, about 27 km), Chicken Ridge (viewpoint, about 7 km).

How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Elkader?

92 places on Spotwander: 17 forts & heritage, 16 museums, 14 hill stations & viewpoints, 15 wildlife, forests & gardens, 6 lakes, dams & reservoirs.

Which is the nearest fort to Elkader?

Bridge Street, about 1 km by road; Wadena Veteran's Memorial (26 km) is next.

Which is the nearest museum to Elkader?

Carter House Museum, about 1 km by road; Earthmoving Legacy Center (3 km) is next.

What is a good one-day trip from Elkader?

Start in Elkader, visit Chicken Ridge, then Bixby State Preserve, then Bussey Lake, then Spook Cave, then Big Springs Wildlife Management Area, and drive back — about 135 km by road in all.