Bonnifield Lake

Are you ready for a day of adventure and relaxation in the beautiful outdoors? Look no further than Bonnifield Lake, located in Waterworks Park! Nestled within the peaceful slopes of the Jefferson County Loop Trail, this stunning lake offers endless opportunities for fun with friends and family. Whether you’re looking to swim, kayak, fish, or hike, Bonnifield Lake has got you covered. And don’t forget to bring your fishing rod – the lake is home to an abundance of catfish just waiting to be caught! Bonnifield Lake gets its name from the Bonnifield cabin, the oldest two-story cabin in Iowa, which sits inside the park. While the inside of the cabin is off limits, the exterior is still worth a visit, as it provides a close-up view of historic craftsmanship.With so much to see and do, Bonnifield Lake is a fun destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Bonnifield Lake

N B Street
Fairfield, Iowa 52556

Pleasant Lake

Discover the perfect outdoor getaway at Pleasant Lake! Catch a fish amidst the stunning scenery or bask in the sun with a delicious picnic at the gazebo. For a scenic stroll, explore the picturesque trails around the lake. This retired reservoir has been transformed into an exciting water playground, perfect for kayaking or fishing – come join the fun! Conveniently located off Pleasant Plain Road just north of Fairfield, Pleasant Lake is your ticket to a revitalizing outdoor adventure.

Pleasant Lake

Pleasant Plain Road
Fairfield, Iowa 52556

Whitham Woods

Get ready to explore Whitham Woods and take in the fascinating array of plants that have grown to maturity over time in this green wonderland.

In addition to the colorful flora, Whitham Woods boasts a whopping 100 species of trees! Plus, don’t miss the four-acre prairie plot and one-acre fishing pond for some extra outdoor fun. And for those looking to burn some calories, the Fairfield Loop Trail winds through the southern half of the park. Get your adventure on at Whitham Woods!

Created in 1889, as the original site of the C.W. Whitham Nursery, many of the original nursery plantings have grown to maturity creating an interesting diversification of plant materials at Whitham Woods. includes more than 111 different species, including oak, hickory, conifers, and fruit trees such as apple, peach, pear, and plum. Many of the original trees have matured and created an interesting and diverse habitat area. The land hosts deer, squirrels, rabbits, and songbirds. Whitham Woods also sports a four-acre prairie plot seeded with Big Blue Stem, Little Blue Stem, Indian Grass, Side Oats Grama, Switch Grass, and various native forbs.
Whitham Woods now boasts trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, plus access to a one-acre fishing pond, and a four-acre prairie plot for photography and general nature appreciation. The Fairfield Loop Trail winds through the southern half of the park.

Whitham Woods is located about 1 mile west of Fairfield on Highway 34.

Whitham Woods

1893 Business Highway 34
Fairfield, Iowa 52556

Fishback and Stephenson Cider House

Tap room & restaurant featuring our locally made Fishback & Stephenson hard cider along with a full bar for your enjoyment. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
641 451 7726

Dine In, Pickup & Curbside . No delivery

What is our most popular dish?

Our award winning burgers. We use local beef from Adrian Family Farms and each burger is hand formed made to order. We have been named Best Burger in Iowa and mentioned in Spoon University, USA today, Food Network etc. We make our own sauces in house and many of the side dishes and pickles.

What makes us unique??

We take pride in using locally sourced beef, hand forming our patties to order, house making our sides and sauces and keeping our menu small, but consistent and the highest quality possible. Our food pairs perfectly with our wide range of hard ciders that are available on tap. Our ciders range in flavor from dry and tart to sweet and fruity, guaranteed to please any palette. We offer cider fights so you can sample them all and we have cans to go so you can take some home with you to enjoy. Cider cans are the perfect gift as well so make sure you stock up.

NEW HOURS

Kitchen hours are

Tuesday – Thursday 4-8pm

Friday – Saturday 4-9pm

Closed Sunday and Monday

Taproom Hours:

Open Tues – Sat 4:00 PM – Close

Our Story:

The four founders and owners, Hopi James, Annalisa Thompson, Clint Stephenson and Cole Fishback have been making hard cider together since 2013. They opened their first downtown location in 2014 (and won best burger in Iowa in 2015) and moved to their current location in 2018. The cidery and restaurant are now located under one roof in a beautiful timber framed taproom. The timber for the building was logged from the owners’ county forest and milled in the parking lot! The exquisite taproom/restaurant showcases breathtaking views and the patio seating is a dream. It is the perfect view for Iowa’s exquisite sunsets. You can view the cidery through the glass doors and if you’re lucky you can catch the owners in action and sample some of the newest creations. In addition to awesome burgers, Cider house has a full bar featuring house made cider, top shelf selections of liquors, unique cocktails and so much more.

The Cider House 1949

1949 Pleasant Plain Road
Fairfield, IA 52556

The Ride

Everything you need to get on the road… New bikes, accessories, and repair.

The Ride… is currently open Tuesday-Saturday from 10AM-5PM. Winter hours are Saturdays only from 10AM-5PM. You can reach The Ride… at 641-472-1719. Stop by the store and check out their inventory, or dust off that bike in the back of the garage and get a tune-up.

Owner Mark Smith has been many things in his life but meeting people through the world of bikes is what draws him to a business that keeps people pedaling.

The Ride organizes weekly bike rides, weather permitting. Join the group for more details.

123 N. Court St
Fairfield, IA 52556

Fairfield Loop Trail

The Fairfield Loop Trail forms a 16-mile ring around the town of Fairfield, mostly in the outlying areas of the countryside. The trail links two major preserves and connects city and county parks. Along the way you’ll pass through woodlands, meadows and prairie, and hilly sections.

Most of the trail surface is crushed stone, but there are about 2.5 miles total of concrete surface in four different locations. A 0.8-mile on-road segment follows Mint Boulevard (a gravel road) southward from Lamson Woods toward the trail section that parallels US 34. Other trails, such as the 7.5 miles in Jefferson County Park, connect to the Fairfield Loop Trail.

Access points for the trail include:

Whitham Woods
Cedar View Trail
Maasdam Barns
Mint Blvd Parking Lot
Lamson Woods
Neff Wetland
Chautauqua Park
Pleasant Lake
Bonnifield Lake

Downloadable JCTC TrailsMap

The most spectacular feature of the trail is the BNSF bridge over the railroad tracks near Walton Lake. The bridge features 171 ceramic tiles created by high school art students, which are inset into the bridge’s concrete curb. Many small bridges, some with artistic enhancements, cross brooks on the Fairfield Loop Trail.

Because the 15.9-mile-long Fairfield Loop Trail was built one segment at a time over 14 years, names were given to each segment. The segments are presented in a clockwise direction, starting with the DOT-South segment in the southern part of Fairfield, Iowa.

The Loop Trail officially begins (and ends) next to the Maasdam Barns at Mile Marker Zero. Mile Markers occur every 1/4 mile along the Loop Trail. The Maasdam Barns are next to the Jefferson County Health Center (at the interchange of Hwy 1 & US 34).

The DOT-South segment, built by the Iowa DOT, parallels the new US Hwy 34 bypass from Mint Blvd in the east to Whitham Woods in the west. This 5.7-mile segment is hilly, with curves and woods, and partly in wetlands. It intersects with the Cedar View Trail, which leads to Jefferson County Park. The Loop Trail officially begins (and ends) next to the Maasdam Barns at Mile Marker Zero. Mile Markers occur every 1/4 mile along the Loop Trail.

The Whitham Woods segment uses part of an old 1858-1901 railroad bed, then travels up and down hills through the woods, and then follows a concrete section along Burlington Ave to Brookville Road. The trail within Whitham Woods was upgraded in September 2010.

The Northwestern segment travels northeasterly from Brookville Road to Grimes Ave and Dexter Soccer Park, then crosses the BNSF railroad track through a pedestrian maze (for safety) and continues to the Rock Island Railroad segment at 8th & Gear. Most of the surface is concrete.

The Rock Island Railroad segment uses the roadbed of the Rock Island Railroad, which was in use from 1945 to 1980 (replacing a 1871 alignment). Our trail bridge replaces the railroad bridge, which was removed in 1985.

The B Street segment travels along B Street on a concrete-surfaced sidewalk for 4/10ths of a mile to connect to the Lakes segment. The sidewalk continues southward to Waterworks Park and Stone Ave.

The Lakes segment connects three lakes, Bonnifield Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Walton Lake, with a trail that meanders along fields and through wooded areas. These lakes are retired reservoirs, being converted for recreational usage.

Leaving Walton Lake, the Louden Bridge segment travels through woods, then crosses the BNSF Railroad tracks on the 246-foot Louden Bridge to connect with Chautauqua Park, where it meets the Crow Creek segment. The Louden Bridge displays 171 ceramic plaques of images from old Louden Machinery Company blueprints, made by a Fairfield High School art class.

The Crow Creek segment follows Crow Creek from Chautauqua Park to the Neff Wetlands. A concrete-surfaced section connects to a crushed limestone surface in a wooded low-land, where three bridges cross creeks in the Fry property.

The Neff Wetlands section of the Loop Trail begins as you cross Glasgow Road from the Crow Creek segment, heading west across the wetlands dike. The Lamson Woods boardwalk/bridge then takes you the parking lot at Mint Blvd. A walking-only trail joins the boardwalk near the creek. Lamson Woods is a State Preserve.

The Mint Blvd Link connects the Lamson Woods-Neff segment to the DOT-South segment, using Mint Blvd, the only shared-road section of the Loop Trail. Part of Mint Blvd is steep, with a gravel surface. Improvements may be made in the future.

Download a trail map JCTC TrailsMap

Main Location

Fairfield, IA 52556

Website

Cedar Valley Winery

Cedar Valley Winery
2034 Dewberry Avenue
Batavia, IA 52533
641-662-2800
www.cedarvalleywine.com

If you’re looking for a unique wine-tasting experience, head to southeast Iowa and visit this family-owned winery. The award-winning wines are made from locally grown grapes, and the relaxed atmosphere is the perfect place to enjoy a glass or two with friends. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have, and they’re happy to recommend the perfect wine to pair with your meal. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or just getting started, you’ll find something to love at this charming winery.

Hours:

T-Th 1-6 p.m.

Fri, 12-6.

Sat. 10-6,

Cedar Valley Winery features French and American hybrid varieties, producing high quality, award winning wines. Focusing on quality, the Cedar Valley Winery produces estate grown and estate bottled wines from grapes grown exclusively in their Vineyard, 10 minutes west of Fairfield. The small 1.5 acre Vineyard initially established in 2002 has now grown to more than 6 acres in size, spanning over southeast Iowa ’s beautiful countryside. Cedar Valley Winery’s annual wine production of approximately 2,000 gallons continues to increase each year. Visit their Tasting Room, tour the Winery, and enjoy their favorite wines on the outdoor deck overlooking the beautiful Vineyard. Sophisticated serenity awaits you.

Main Location

2034 Dewberry Avenue
Batavia, IA 52533

Website

Chautauqua Park

One of our most full-featured parks. Playground areas, restrooms, shelter houses you can reserve, restrooms, picnicking, walking trail that links to the Fairfield Loop. Games: horseshoe courts, disc golf course.

The Chautauqua Complex comprises three interconnected areas – Chautauqua Park, the Community Orchard, and the Eastman Wetland. Chautauqua Park is a favorite among visitors who revel in its majestic trees, extensive playgrounds, and picnic areas that have served as a picturesque backdrop for countless memories. Families, couples, and friends alike relish its serene ambiance, perhaps engaging in a leisurely game of disc-golf or swinging away on the playground. The Fairfield Loop Trail, which provides access to extensive hiking opportunities, runs through the park and connects to the Community Orchard. Established in 2012 with support from Alliant Energy’s Hometown Rewards Program, the Orchard boasts a range of fruits, including American Persimmon, Chestnut, Mulberry, Asian and European Pears, and multiple varieties of Apples. During harvest season, visitors enjoy the opportunity to pick their own fruits. Beyond the Orchard lies the Eastman Wetland, a 24-acre mitigation site, with a restored wetland of 5 acres. Once farmland, the site now teems with abundant wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, crayfish, mussels, and insects that rely on the wetlands for feeding, nesting, and spawning. With endless possibilities for exploration, the Chautauqua Complex is truly a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Disc Golf Map Chautauqua Park Disc Golf Course Map

Main Location

Hwy. 34 East on E. Burlington Avenue.
Fairfield, IA 52556

Website