White Pine forest provides one of the best hiking spots in Iowa. At the east entrance of the preserve is a rugged landscape with groves of white pine trees. The primary aim of the preserve is to protect one of Iowa's oldest and largest natural stands of White Pine. White Pine forests are quite fragile and easily susceptible to natural damage.
Just outside of White Pine Hollow State Forest, there is a portion of open land dedicated to wildlife enrichment. Two rare and endangered animals, the Indiana Bat and the Pleistocene Snail, are part of the preserve, along with endangered plant life like Monkshood and Saxifrage. Apart from these two endangered species, the forest is habited by another commonly sighted wildlife species from Northeast Iowa region.
The forest has large deer population and provides an open hunting ground for hunters (please check with the Iowa DNR for hunting details). Apart from wildlife and plants, a number of limestone bedrock areas can be found in the forest. Migratory birds and winter animals use the preserve as a hibernation destination. The limestone bedrock is a result of millions of years of geological activity in the region. Due to the sensitive nature of the bedrock, off-road hiking is prohibited in the forest.
White Pine Hollow State Forest was officially recognized as a state forest in 1934 and as a preserve in 1968.
White Pine Hollow State Park, New Vienna, IA - 52065
Come and visit the beautiful White Pine Hollow Forest in Dubuque County, and relish in the beauty of the pines.