Calhoun district, Iowa, United States

Places to visit near Manson

Manson is a town in Calhoun district, Iowa, United States, home to about 1,615 people. Within 50 km by road there are 49 places to visit — 12 museums, 11 wildlife, forests & gardens, 6 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 8 forts & heritage. The must-see places are Twin Lakes State Park West (13 km), Woodman Hollow State Preserve (47 km) and Brushy Creek State Preserve (60 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Manson on the map

Manson, Iowa
Manson, Calhoun district, Iowa, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Manson at a glance

Location
Calhoun district, Iowa, United States
Population
about 1,615
Coordinates
42.5291° N, 94.5341° W
Places within 50 km
49 (2 must-see)
Best time to visit
November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for museums

Top places to visit near Manson

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Manson: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Manson, by type

Museums near Manson

46 museums within 100 km of Manson. The closest is Calhoun County Museum (21 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Manson

37 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Manson. The closest is Birke Wildlife Area (16 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Manson

36 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Manson. The closest is South Twin Lake Wildlife Management Area (15 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Forts & heritage near Manson

29 forts & heritage within 100 km of Manson. The closest is Strand's Play (12 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Manson

22 churches within 100 km of Manson. The closest is Elfsborg Church (20 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Manson

15 parks within 100 km of Manson. The closest is Twin Lakes State Park West (13 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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A one-day trip from Manson

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 65 km on the road.

  1. Start in Manson
  2. 12 km Strand's Play · heritage site, Calhoun
  3. 6 km South Twin Lake Wildlife Management Area · lake, Calhoun
  4. 3 km Twin Lakes State Park West · park, Calhoun
  5. 27 km Birke Wildlife Area · nature spot, Pocahontas
  6. 1 km Lizzard Creek Wildlife Area · nature spot, Pocahontas
  7. 16 km Back to Manson

Plan a longer trip from Manson — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Manson

No traveller has reported from around Manson yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Manson

    All places near Manson by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Manson by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Museums1246Calhoun County Museum (21 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1137Birke Wildlife Area (16 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs636South Twin Lake Wildlife Management Area (15 km)
    Forts & heritage829Strand's Play (12 km)
    Churches722Elfsborg Church (20 km)
    Parks515Twin Lakes State Park West (13 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints07Gun Shot Hill (61 km)
    Other attractions02Grotto of the Redemption (61 km)
    Beaches & coast02Lakeside Beach (67 km)

    Manson: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Manson?

    Twin Lakes State Park West (park, about 13 km), Strand's Play (heritage site, about 12 km), South Twin Lake Wildlife Management Area (lake, about 15 km), Birke Wildlife Area (nature spot, about 16 km), Lizzard Creek Wildlife Area (nature spot, about 16 km), Toben Wildlife Preserve (nature spot, about 17 km).

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

    49 places on Spotwander: 12 museums, 11 wildlife, forests & gardens, 6 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 8 forts & heritage, 7 churches.

    Which is the nearest museum to Manson?

    Calhoun County Museum, about 21 km by road; Fonda Opera House Museum (33 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Manson?

    Birke Wildlife Area, about 16 km by road; Lizzard Creek Wildlife Area (16 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Manson?

    South Twin Lake Wildlife Management Area, about 15 km by road; Fort Dodge Hydroelectric Dam (34 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Manson?

    Start in Manson, visit Strand's Play, then South Twin Lake Wildlife Management Area, then Twin Lakes State Park West, then Birke Wildlife Area, then Lizzard Creek Wildlife Area, and drive back — about 65 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Manson?

    November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for museums.

    Towns near Manson

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Manson’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Manson on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.