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Loess Hills: Moorhead to Little Sioux, Loess Hills, Iowa
Photo: BillyBlueJay · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives Iowa Iowa and Illinois

Loess Hills: Moorhead to Little Sioux

IA 183, F20, Easton Trail · Moorhead → Little Sioux

Leisurely14.3 mi20 min300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,300 ftOne way
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The drive

The Loess Hills are a landform along Iowa's western border, up to 15 miles wide and about 200 miles long, made of wind-blown fine soil that settled at the end of the last ice age. Only China has taller loess formations, and the area holds over half of Iowa's remaining native prairie.

This drive runs north from Moorhead on Iowa 183 and 83 to Pisgah, then west on County F20, also called the Easton Trail, past Murray Hill to Little Sioux. Murray Hill Scenic Overlook is called one of the best in the hills: you can pull off at the edge of the road for the view, or park in the gravel lot and hike to the top for a 360-degree view.

Along the way

  1. Moorhead
  2. Pisgah
  3. Murray Hill
  4. Little Sioux
Elevation
300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,300 ft
MoorheadLittle Sioux
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
MoorheadLittle Sioux
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The Murray Hill parking lot is gravel; the pull-off at the road's edge gives a view without the hike.
  • Check Iowa 511 for closures before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Iowa 511.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Loess Hills drive from Moorhead to Little Sioux take?

Moorhead to Little Sioux is 14.3 miles and takes about 20 min without stops.

What is Murray Hill in the Loess Hills?

Murray Hill Scenic Overlook is on County F20 west of Pisgah. You can pull off at the road's edge or hike up from the gravel lot for a 360-degree view.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Loess Hills: Moorhead to Little Sioux, from Moorhead to Little Sioux