3 Great Outdoor Activities in Driving Distance of Manchester, IA

Manchester, IA is a stunningly gorgeous city. Many parks and halls are available, and there is no lack of great fishing spots nearby. If you're looking to up your game, consider checking out these great watering holes within driving distance of Manchester. more 1. Backbone State Park One of the best places to fish in the Manchester area is Backbone State Park at 1347 129th Street. Typically, you can expect to catch catfish and bass. However, trout fishing is also great here. There is a lot to love about fishing at Backbone State Park, including its accessibility. The parking lot and sidewalk down the trout stream are ADA-compliant. There is also a 21-mile trail system that you can hike down. In the winter, we highly recommend the cross-country ski and snowmobile trails in the park. There are also many picturesque mountain biking trails that are worth exploring. There are other activities you can enjoy here, too, including camping, picnicking, boating, and rock climbing. 2.  Bixby State Preserve We also love casting a line at Bixby State Preserve at 37894 Fortune Avenue. There is a trout stream in this state preserve, and it is the perfect relaxing place to try to catch dinner. There are lots of other things you can do in this state preserve, too, including bird watching, picnicking, and hiking. We strongly recommend checking out the awesome ice cave here. You may be able to see such relics from days gone by as cart rails, an ore cart, and mining tools as deep as 80 feet within the cave. You can also see wildlife and plants that you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. 3. Wapsipinicon State Park Finally, we love visiting Wapsipinicon State Park at 21301 County Road E34, one of the first state parks in Iowa. This state park grants access to the Wapsi, otherwise known as the Wapsipinicon River. The fish you can expect to catch along the banks of this river include walleye where the Dutch Creek feeds into the Wapsi. You can also expect to catch smallmouth bass, spring crappies, flathead and channel catfish, and bullheads. There are many other outdoor activities you can enjoy at this state park. For instance, it is a great place to camp in the shade. You can also play a nine-hole golf course at the Wapsinicon Country Club in the park. You can also enjoy hiking along several miles of multi-use trails. With a reliable truck, like a 2024 Chevy Silverado, there is no shortage of great places to fish nearby. If it's time to trade in your current truck, visit us today at Bob Stephen Motors to take one for a test drive. Image via

Manchester, IA is a picturesque, welcoming community with a great deal of small-town charm and beautiful natural surroundings that include the lovely meandering Maquoketa River. If you're interested in playing a few rounds of golf, there are several great golf courses nearby on wide open well-kept stretches of greenery. Here are a few of the best of them. more Pin Oaks Pub Links & Event Center This excellent local 18-hole course at 2266 185th Avenue was previously known as Manchester Golf Course. It's a par 71-course with 6,263 yards of carefully designed fairways, smooth bent-grass greens, and plenty of challenges that include oak and spruce trees, water hazards, and 11 sand bunkers. It's also a course with a great deal of history: the first nine holes were built almost a century ago, in 1927, and it's been steadily improved since. The impressive 8,000-square-foot clubhouse facility is extremely well-equipped with plenty of amenities. There's a high-tech golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining, and a full-service bar. Of course, if you visit the bar, always drink responsibly with moderation and never drink and drive. The bar's alcoholic drinks are for adults only. Hart Ridge Golf Course At the northern end of town, you'll find the popular Hart Ridge Golf Course, which offers nine holes with well-maintained greens and fairways and pleasant views. There are several restrooms throughout the course, and you can practice your swing at an excellent driving range. It's an active course with friendly members and regular tournaments. The restaurant at the clubhouse is particularly well-recommended. It's a clean and welcoming eatery with prompt, cheerful service, and top-notch food at very reasonable prices. If you feel hungry after your next game, be sure to try the chicken wings, fried fish, and especially the French fries, which some claim are the best in Manchester. You can find Hart Ridge Golf Course at 1647 195th Street. Woods Edge Golf Course Another wonderful course lies a short ten-mile drive to the north in neighboring Edgewood. Woods Edge Golf Course is a beautiful nine-hole course much loved by many local golfing enthusiasts. They have a busy tournament schedule here if you're in a competitive mood. Along with top-notch greens, the clubhouse also has darts, sports games showing on the big screen, a terrific restaurant, and pleasant patio seating. For those with a sweet tooth, be sure to try some scrumptious ice cream at their on-site Chocolate Shoppe. Woods Edge Golf Course is located at 504 W Union Street, Edgewood. You can enjoy the short drive there in your new 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT. Stow as much golfing equipment as you like in the Trailblazer's spacious 25.3 square feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. After your next fun round of golf, visit Bob Stephen Motors. We're committed to providing an excellent customer experience, whatever car-purchasing or servicing needs you may have. Image via

You don't have to drive far from Delaware County to find seasonal fun before fall rolls around. These are our four favorite summer activities near Manchester, IA. more Baileys Ford Park Enjoy a day of trout fishing and hiking at 170-acre Baileys Ford Park right here in Manchester. The park has both primitive campsites and sites with electric hookups. Other amenities include a kayak and canoe launch, playground, horseshoe court, volleyball court, and covered picnic shelters. You can stop by the Baileys Ford Park Nature Center to see fish, turtles, reptiles, and white-tailed deer and chat with the knowledgeable rangers. Baileys Ford Park is located at 2379 Jefferson Rd. If you plan to visit the nature center, it's open Monday through Friday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. You can also stop by on Saturdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. through Labor Day. Manchester Whitewater Park Cool off during the last days of August with a float along the Maquoketa River. Although the Manchester Whitewater Park is free and open to the public all year, summer is really the best time to experience this fun 800-foot river ride, which has several 18-inch drops. Bring your own tube and a group of friends for a memorable day in nature. You can also swim, raft, canoe, or kayak in this portion of the river. Parking for Manchester Whitewater Park is located at 300 West Main St. near the first river access point. Kramer Aquatic Center This Manchester destination gives you another option to beat the summer heat. Kramer Aquatic Center features a heated pool with a diving board and three water slides, as well as a sprinkler area for little ones. When it's time for a break, you can visit the concession stand and relax under the shade umbrellas. The center also has swim lessons and its own competitive swim team, the Manchester Marlins. Kramer Aquatic Center has open swim daily in August from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission costs $5 for ages 8 and older, $3 for kids ages 3 to 7, and free for children 2 and younger. It's located at 200 Stearns Dr. Manchester Farmer's Market We'll be shopping at the Manchester Farmer's Market until it closes for the season in October. Held every Saturday morning from 7:30 to 11 a.m., the market features handmade items, baked goods, and locally grown fruits and vegetables. You'll find the market along River Street behind Bushel and a Peck Market at 401 W Main St. You can bring the whole family on your fun adventures with a new three-row Chevy Suburban. Experience this impressive full-size SUV in person today at Bob Stephen Motors. Image via