Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Fountainbleu Loop
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Fountainbleu Loop is a National Scenic Byway in Iowa. Within Iowa it covers roughly 17 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Fountainbleu Loop with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
Fountainbleu Loop climbs to the Murray Hill Scenic Overlook in Iowa's Harrison County, on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. It's reached via County Road F20 about two miles northeast of Little Sioux. The overlook itself is small, just three acres, but the payoff is outsized: a short, steep trail under half a mile long ends atop Murray Hill with a panoramic sweep west across the Missouri River valley and north and south along the spine of the Loess Hills, with yucca and native prairie wildflowers covering the slopes. Benches and interpretive signs mark several stopping points on the climb. Murray Hill also serves as the northern trailhead for Brent's Trail, a 13-mile hiking route completed through the Loess Hills State Forest. It's one of three excursion loops branching off the byway spine in Harrison County, roughly midway along the drive between Sioux City and Council Bluffs.
- Murray Hill Scenic Overlook
- Harrison County, near Little Sioux
- panoramic Missouri River Valley views
- Brent's Trail northern trailhead (13 mi)
- native yucca & prairie wildflowers
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What is a National Scenic Byway?
National Scenic Byways are roads recognized at the federal level for at least one outstanding quality — scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational — that gives travelers a reason to seek them out rather than just pass through.
Where to Stay along Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Fountainbleu Loop
No campgrounds are listed close to Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Fountainbleu Loop yet, but there are rooms near the route.
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