Elkader, recipient of the Great American Main Street Award and the Cultural and Entertainment District designation lies between the bluffs of Clayton County on the Turkey River. The river offers a great place for canoeing and tubing and many nearby streams are stocked for trout fishing. Historic Elkader, with nine structures on the National Register of Historic Places, sports unique shops in a vital business district.

Come relax, enjoy and experience the natural beauty and inherent fun found in Clayton County, Iowa! Spend the weekend exploring hidden historic treasures, trout fishing in a stream or river, hiking through a state park or national monument, driving along the scenic Mississippi River or perusing numerous antique and specialty shops. With such a vast array of activities to entertain, you are sure to find fun for everyone in Clayton County!
The county includes a diverse landscape of rolling hills, historical main streets and breathtaking views of the Mississippi. Come explore four of Iowa’s Great Places, the River Bluffs Scenic Byway, the Turkey River Recreational Corridor, the Mississippi River Trail and the cultural and entertainment districts that will help you make memories to last a lifetime!

Explore all four seasons in Clayton County! Experience nature’s beauty in spring, attend festivals and events in summer, see the blazing colors of autumn or enjoy the sparkle of fresh snow from the back of a snowmobile during the winter months. Rolling hills, valleys, limestone bluffs, streams, rivers and timber have cultivated our landscape into a paradise for nature enthusiasts and sportsmen alike. This scenic environment is home to a variety of wild game and trout fishing is popular in many local streams, rivers and ponds.

Parks, museums and various historic settlements throughout Clayton County preserve the history of the area. This county plays host to ancient burial grounds, pioneer settlements, and impressive limestone structures and bridges. Plan a genealogy trip to trace your roots and find your ancestors from Clayton County.

Clayton County has a little something for everyone and a whole lot of things to love. It’s a place with everything you need to get away and enjoy life; a place rich in history and hospitality with all the pleasures of today. Plan your next weekend get-away to Clayton County to relax, enjoy and experience the beauty of all we have to offer!