West side of Loess Hills Wildlife Area. 12.4 miles of trail bordering 178th Street on the south, Oak Ave on the east, and Nutmeg LANE on the west.
Start Point: Onawa, IA. From I-29 Exit 112 proceed 2.5 miles to Filbert Ave. Turn left on Hwy L12. Proceed 7.2 miles on L12 then take a slight right onto Nutmeg Ave. Proceed .4 miles where you will take a HARD right onto 178th St. Proceed 2.1 miles to Oak Ave. Park vehicle and proceed 100 yards north on Oak Ave. to sign for Sylvan Runkel are your left (west) side of Oak Ave.
Upland grasses and woodlands with some streams. More than 100 bird species habituate the preserve, including yellow-billed and black-billed cuckoos, scarlet tanager, yellow-throated warbler and much more.