Decorah Trout Trail Map
Insurance Release Form to print & sign
Driving directions to Super 8
$59 per person hotel double occupancy
A great place to go for a 2 day, one night stay in picturesque Decorah. Drive up Saturday morning and enjoy the 11 mile Trout Run Bike Trail along with everything else Decorah has to offer. Your lodging options are the Super 8 hotel (810 Highway 9 East in Decorah), or, camping at Pulpit Rock. So get ahold of Dwayne Grote for your hotel reservations or Kim Betts, if you plan to camp. This time of year will put us in the heart of some of Iowa’s best fall color views in the whole state. Plus there’s a lot to take in if you just want to wander the shopping district, enjoy the local parks, or relax in one of the best rated micro-breweries in the country – Toppling Goliath.
Saturday morning meeting plans: For biking, meet at the Super 8 motel before 10:00 so everyone can head out right at 10:00 from the hotel. But take note that hotel check in is 3:00 pm so you can check in when you return from riding. At the end of your day, meet everyone at the new Toppling Goliath Brewery about 4 miles east of downtown off Highway 9 - 1600 Prosperity Rd.
There's a reason it's called the "Trout Run Trail!" It runs next to the Decorah Trout Hatchery--the second largest trout hatchery in Iowa. The 11-mile loop crosses trout streams five times. The trail follows the Upper Iowa River for its first two miles. The Upper Iowa River is noted for kayaking, canoeing, tubing and--yes--trout fishing. Of course, you can stay on dry land and just enjoy the scenery!
As you travel the Trout Run Trail, you might have to remind yourself you're right next to the city of Decorah because of the secluded route the trail takes. But the city is close at hand--and so are restaurants, hotels, gift shops, bike shops--even several ice cream shops! One of the highlights of the Trout Run Trail is the Iowa DNR Trout Hatchery at Siewer Springs (pronounced "SEE-ver"). Feed the fish at the hatchery (it's just 25 cents for a handful of food!) Siewer Springs is also a great spot for picnics, family photos, trout fishing and bird watching.
While you’re on the trail look up! You’ll see the famous Decorah Eagle’s nest. Mom, Dad and eaglets live in this six-foot-wide nest weighing more than 750 pounds. A camcorder is set up to give a live feed via the internet. Check it out for yourself on the “eagle cam” at http://www.raptorresource.org/.
And while much of the trail is flat, there are sharp switchbacks (tight curves) that weave you back and forth along beautiful Iowa countryside. There are a few slights climbs as Brenda can confirm.
Camping Option Details
Pulpit Rock Website
Driving directions to Pulpit Rock
Individual sites that may be reserved: #119, #120, #138, #139, #140, #159, #160, #239, #240
- The remaining sites are first come, first served. Those of us taking time off or retired are going up early on Wednesday or Thursday evening to do some exploring and to secure a non-reservable spot. Those who are coming up Friday, it is suggested you reserve a spot, unless you are tent camping, which there is a large area on the south east side as a group and you can double up on sites (up to 3 tents per site). Site 120 has been reserved by a club member already.
This map show the "Pulpit Rock" side with reservable units locations. Note that the green camp spots are for tents, so I suggest we camp on the south side in the area of sites 120 & 121.
- You may reserve and pay for more than one site by having all additional party’s information available at the time of your call and placing it on your credit card.
- 2 night minimum for weekends
- Phone reservations require a Visa/MasterCard credit card.
- When calling them, if you are connected to voice mail, please leave a message including name and phone number and whether you are seeking a trailer/RV site or tent site. They will return messages in the order received.
Camping Rates:
Back-in Sites Trailers/Motorhomes
30 amp sites $22/night, 50 amp sites $24/night
Pull-thru Sites Trailers/Motorhomes (1 or 2 trailers)
30 amp sites $30 weekdays $40 weekends & holidays
50 amp sites $32 weekdays $42 weekends & holidays
Additional (over 2) trailers $22 each/night or tents $15 each/night
Tents w/o electric
$15/tent/night
Tents w/electric
$18 first tent/night
$15 additional tent/night on same site
Senior Citizen (65+)Discount for Trailers/Motorhomes
$2/night (excludes Friday, Saturday and holidays)
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES:
56 back-in sites, 19 pull-though sites, 37 tent sites
Electrical hook-ups (30 and 50 amp)
Restroom and shower facilities,
Dump station and water station, ice and wood sales
Playground equipment, basketball court, volleyball net
Wi-Fi
Canoe landing, Twin Springs Trout Stream, easy access to Trout Run Trail
Selected Rules:
Check‐out time is 1:00 PM.
Tents may be added to certain occupied sites. They will be charged a daily tent fee and a sticker added to the card.
A rain fly or dining canopy may be added to sites without charge. There is a maximum combination of three (3) tents and canopies in total at any single site.
Park accordingly if you wish to use rugs. Give yourself room to keep them off the grass. Keep your wheels on the gravel pad.
All sites will have a grill and picnic table provided. No charcoal grills on the tables please.
Rules for Tent Camping:
For stays longer than 4 days you need to move your tent every 4 days to avoid damage to the grass.
Tents may be added to an occupied site. They will be charged a daily fee. Tent stickers will be added to the site card to ID additional tents.
A rain fly or dining canopy may be added to sites without charge. There is a maximum combination of three (3) tents and canopies in total at any single site. (Note: If you sleep in it, it’s a tent and you will be charged.)
Electrical sites will have a corresponding numbered outlet at the electric box. Use your site numbered outlet only.