Delaware

Indian Hills Wildlife Area is located 1 mile southeast of Earlville in section 1 of Delhi Township (T88N-R4W), Delaware County, Iowa.

This 108.0-acre property was purchased by Delaware County Conservation in 1989 from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). Assistance from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) and Iowa DNR (Wildlife Habitat Stamp) helped make this acquisition possible.

As the name applies, there are five documented Native Indian Burial Mounds on the Indian Hills property. Archeologists from the University of Iowa discovered the mounds in 1974 after a report from the Iowa DOT, which was routing its course for Highway 20 road project. The mounds were used by the Woodland Indians tribe around 2000 BC to 500 AD.

This property was purchased to maintain the cultural significance of the area and to provide recreational activities for the public.

In 1994, the Delaware County Pheasants Forever Chapter assisted Delaware County Conservation with planting 4,000 trees, shrubs and native grasses on over 20 acres of this area enhancing it for upland wildlife.

In October of 2019, 4.0 acres were planted to acorns and nuts as part of a direct seeding demonstration project to establish oaks and walnuts for woodland habitat.

Today the wildlife area contains:

• 20.0 acres of native grasses for upland nesting cover
• 8.0 acres of cropland as a food source for wildlife
• Over a quarter mile of Plum Creek flows through the eastern portion of this area

Location

2725  225th St 

Earlville, IA 

Features

This natural area amenities include:

• Hiking Trails
• Hunting and Trapping
• Wildlife Observation

Operating Hours & Seasons

This natural area is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm

Closures

All parks and natural areas remain open all year. However, facilities are closed to vehicle traffic and allow only walk-in access during the late fall and winter season. Parks with campground are usually open from mid-April through mid-October.