An artificial lake, historic buildings, and trails through woodland and farmland give Cass County several distinct facets. When choosing what to explore, consider whether you want to focus on time by the water, regional history, or a scenic route.

Lake, Woods, and Trails

At the heart of the 1,062-hectare Lake Anita State Park is a 171-hectare artificial lake. Fishing and boating are available in the park; fishing piers line the shore, and there are also two boat ramps for anglers with boats. The lake therefore accounts for roughly one-sixth of the park’s area.

Troublesome Creek Wildlife Area encompasses 40 hectares of dense woodland through which Troublesome Creek flows. The T-Bone Trail takes in farmland as well as woods: it runs through both landscapes in the Nishnabotna River Valley and ends at Dunbar Road, five miles northeast of Atlantic.

At the northern edge of Cold Springs Park, a quiet, 1.5-mile woodland trail leads to the East Nishnabotna River and a notable limestone outcrop. River access depends on water conditions; keep this in mind if you plan to include the river in your outing.

Buildings, Art, and Regional History

The Cass County Historical Museum is housed in the former Griswold National Bank building, completed in 1885. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The museum displays artifacts from all the communities in Cass County: Anita, Atlantic, Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis, Marne, and Massena.

The Rock Island Railroad Depot in Atlantic was built in 1898 in the Renaissance style for the Rock Island Railroad Line. It was fully restored in 2002 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Telegraph Building Murals in Atlantic include a two-story mural by Jenna Brownlee and the mural “It's Good to be Here” by Bree Daggett.

The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House is associated with the abolitionist reform movement and the network that became known as the Underground Railroad. Guided tours of the house are scheduled for Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May 1 to September 15. Confirm your specific visit date before traveling. Free parking is available in front of the Granary Gift Shop at the house.

Cold Springs State Park is a historic site on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. The Nishnabotna Ferry House in Cold Springs has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2001.

A 15,000-pound boulder, created by Iowa artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, stands in East Park. It depicts the Hitchcock House, Maj. Belle Reynolds, and Cass County’s 23rd Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, Company 1, Calvary Unit.

Discover more destinations: Atlantic, Osceola County, Marion County, Johnson, Winnebago County, Montgomery County, Jasper County, Adair County.

For the overview of the wider region: Iowa.