Natural Area Cache River
Rate this placeNearby: Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area Rex Hancock Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Natural Area Cache River is a beautiful area located in the state of Iowa.
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Summary
The area is a great place to visit because of its natural beauty and unique features. The Cache River is a slow, meandering river that is surrounded by lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. Visitors can explore the river on a canoe or kayak and experience the peacefulness of the natural surroundings.
There are many points of interest to see in the Natural Area Cache River. The area is home to many species of birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons. Visitors can also see a variety of mammals, such as deer, rabbits, and beavers. The area is also home to many species of fish, including catfish, bass, and perch.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it is one of the few remaining areas in Iowa that still has a natural floodplain forest. The area is also home to many rare and endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.
The best time of year to visit Natural Area Cache River is during the spring and fall. During the spring, visitors can see many wildflowers in bloom, and during the fall, the area is filled with beautiful fall foliage.
Overall, Natural Area Cache River is a must-see destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Iowa. With its diverse wildlife, unique features, and peaceful surroundings, it is sure to be a memorable experience for all who visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area
Rex Hancock Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Wildlife Management Area