Iowa National Heritage Foundation preserves Little Sioux Scout Ranch
The Little Sioux Scout Ranch has officially started its new chapter as an addition to the Loess Hills State Forest. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 26, with more than 100 people in attendance. It was a day for the record books in so many ways.
The 1,776-acre property has been used as a scout camp for more than 50 years by troops from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. In 2021, the Gillwell Foundation, which owns all the properties used by the council, came to the difficult decision to sell the camp due to declining attendance. Knowing the site's value, they reached out to INHF to see if they could find a solution in which the land's history and unique natural resources could remain intact and be enjoyed by all.
In working on the sale with the council, INHF agreed to do three things: 1) Open the property to the public; 2) maintain the memorial to four boys that died in a 2008 tornado on the property; and 3) honor and share the history of LSSR as a scout camp.
Through the support of more than 1,000 individuals, organizations and businesses and funding from USDA's Forest Legacy program and Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program, that promise is now a reality.
Because of the partners' vision and commitment to preserving what made LSSR such a meaningful and moving destination, Iowans and visitors can forever find respite in its wildness. As an addition to the Loess Hills State Forest, users can still forge a connection with nature, enjoying remote camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation in its rustic expanse.
To learn more and find contact info, visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-forests/loess-hills-state-forest
