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Decorah, IA

Considered to be an agricultural county nestled in the bluffs of northeast Iowa, Winneshiek County offers a unique lifestyle to its residents. Unlike most parts of the state, Winneshiek County has rolling hills, picturesque bluffs, and winding rivers and streams. With eight incorporated towns and several surrounding communities, Winneshiek County has the charm of a rural lifestyle with big-city amenities.

Bluffton
Campgrounds, bluffs, and the winding Upper Iowa River make this community a must-see on your adventures. Home to the rocking country-music celebration “Light Up the Bluff” in July.

Burr Oak
Laura Ingalls Wilder once called this community home. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum is her only childhood home still standing on its original site. “Laura Days” is held every year in June.

Decorah
Serving as the county seat for Winneshiek County, Decorah has a population of 8,100 people and is home to Luther College, Vesterheim Museum, and Storypeople. The town’s largest -celebration, Nordic Fest, is held the last full weekend in July to celebrate the Scandinavian history of the area. Decorah offers the quaintness of a small town with the vivacity of an urban lifestyle. Nestled in the valley with the Upper Iowa River, it offers scenic beauty, recreational activity, and a diverse business community to create a total package for people to visit and call home.

Calmar
Calmar has a population of 1,058 people and is home to one of the county’s largest employers, Northeast Iowa Community College. Calmar is situated at the trailhead for the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail, a 20-mile groomed trail. Once a railroad community, Calmar now offers a peek into history and a welcome mat for the future.

Castalia
With a population of 175, Castalia sits at the southern part of the county. This friendly community hosts Tractor Days in July.

Fort Atkinson
Once home to an army post built to protect the neutral ground for the Winnebago Indians during their removal from Wisconsin in 1840, the town of Fort Atkinson still centers around the remnants of the abandoned fort. Since 1977, the annual Fort Atkinson Rendezvous Days has been held on the last full weekend in September. The event re-creates life on the 1840 Iowa frontier.

Highlandville
Famed to be one of the best trout streams in Iowa, Bear Creek runs through this quiet community. Campgrounds, cabins, and fishing make this location a favorite summer getaway.

Jackson Junction
Although the smallest incorporated town in Winneshiek County, Jackson Junction is the location for the Turkey Valley Community School District. With a population of 60 people, this community maintains a great school spirit.

Ossian
With a population of 853, Ossian boasts strong public and private school systems. This quaint town also hosts Ossian Fun Days in August.

Ridgeway
Just a heartbeat away from the county line, Ridgeway is a small community with a lot going on. With a population of 293, Ridgeway recently built a new community center and is working on the further development of the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail.

Spillville
With a population of 386, Spillville was once a summer home to the famous composer Antonin Dvorak. The small town is deeply tied to its Czech roots, and boasts attractions including Bily Clocks museum and The Old World Inn (complete with bootlegger tunnels). Spillville is an inviting community on the western tip of the county.