Maquoketa River Wild Turkey Trail

The Maquoketa River Wild Turkey Trail cuts through 18 miles of forgotten river bottom country in Delaware County, where whitetail deer outnumber people 20-to-1. This old logging road follows the river’s east fork through dense hardwood forest, crossing Coffin Creek three times before climbing the infamous Devil’s Elbow switchback that’ll test your diff lock and your nerve. Turkey hunters have used these routes since the 1800s, and the trail still shows wagon ruts from the original timber operations that carved this route in the 1920s.

You’ll need decent ground clearance and 4WD for the creek crossings, especially after spring rains when Coffin Creek runs two feet deep. Stock pickups and SUVs handle it fine in dry conditions, but the limestone ledges and root sections will scrape low-hanging factory skid plates. Best run April through October when the water’s down and you can actually see the creek bottoms. No permits needed, and you can camp along the river if you pack out your trash. It’s proper Iowa backcountry — quiet, green, and forgotten by everyone except the locals who still remember when this was the only way to get tobacco to market.