About Van Buren County

Van Buren County offers a safe, friendly, affordable place to live. Located in Southeast Iowa, with the Des Moines River running throughout the county, opportunities for outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, fishing and scenic drives are abundant.

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Iowa’s largest state park, and Shimek Forest, Iowa's largest state-owned forest, are both located in Van Buren County. Lake Sugema, a 570-acre lake surrounded by 3600 acres of public hunting, offers some of the best fishing in Southeast Iowa.

There are miles of hiking trails and designated bike trails throughout the county, or take the water trail by canoe down the Des Moines River. The county consists of twelve unique towns known as the “Villages of Van Buren,” and is one of Iowa’s and the Midwest’s top tourist destinations, named “Iowa Tourism County of the Year” on six different occasions.

Van Buren County Features Include:

• Largest State Park in Iowa
• Largest State Forest
• Lake Sugema—574 Acres of Superior Fishing
• Abundance of Trails
• Riverfront Villages
• $10 Million in New School Buildings and Programs
• $9 Million in Hospital Renovation
• Variety of Cultures Including a Large Amish and Mennonite Community
• Artists’ Community and Village Folk School
• Abundant Wildlife
• Within 40 Minutes of Two Amtrak lines
• Within 20 Minutes of University community
• 2 1⁄2 Hours to Des Moines, 1 1⁄2 hours to Iowa City, 4 hours to St. Louis, 5 hours to Chicago
• Many Local Enterprises: 5 New Wineries, Award- Winning Cheese Factory, Organic Produce, even Homemade Dog Biscuits!!
• A Family-Friendly, Safe Community