Hawkeye Point

Hawkeye Point, at 1,670 feet, is Iowa's highest natural point (510 m). It is located on the eastern side of SR 60, roughly 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) north of Sibley and 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) south of the Iowa-Minnesota state line. An ancient silo is 100 feet (30 meters) south of the high ground.

The area that comprises the highpoint was granted to Osceola County by the Sterler family, who had managed the site for decades and had stipulated that it be made into a park. The ancient hog feed bunker at the highpoint site, as well as a few small barns, were dismantled by Osceola County's Economic Development Commission and Hawkeye Point Committee because they were judged harmful to public safety. They've built an information kiosk that showcases the family and the county, as well as a display of license plates from all 50 states that have been handed in to the Sterlers over the years.

The county bought around 6 acres (2.4 ha) of neighboring land, which includes the original family farm home, which is now utilized as office space for the county. A flagpole, picnic seat, tile mosaic, many granite monuments, and five tall poles with placards pointing to the other 49 state highpoints, each with the precise distance stated, are among the amenities. This project benefited greatly from the efforts of the local 4-H club and high school students. The Hawkeye Point Commission also recently bought a 7-acre (28,000-m2) forested tract of land on the north side of the county road that runs beside the property with the intention of turning it into a campsite.

The Hawkeye Point restorations were funded in part by the Highpointers Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving privately held state highpoints.

County: Osceola

Elevation: 1670 ft