Cordova Tower is an observation tower located in Cordova Park in Marion County, Iowa. The tower is seated on the north side of Lake Red Rock and equidistant from the four Marion County towns of Pella, Knoxville, Monroe, and Otley.
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If you can spare the time to go here and are anywhere near the area, definitely go out of your way to make the trip but I would suggest planning time to spend around the whole Cordova park and surrounding parks at red rocks. The observation tower had a quarter insert to enter the gate but they left a door to the left of the spinning entry opened up so you no longer have to use the quarter machine. I went to leave and get quarters and another guest pointed out that there was a different entry way.
Some of the parks have sandy beaches such as North Overlook ($5 to park) and Roberts Creek (free). There is a trail from the Observation Tower to the Pavilion which is short and scenic. There is a side path that leads to the rocky beach. The beaches along most trails at red rocks are rocky but worth hiking out on.
It's gorgeous but not like most ocean beaches, so plan accordingly. I came across a few either copperheads or water moccasins on the path at Roberts Creek. Not sure which. Would recommend sneakers over sandals.
You can also park at Pavilion and take the path to the tower. From the tower you can see the long bridge that goes over red rocks lake. It's a great view, also since you can't stop while...
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Admission is $0.50 each person. The entrance contraption didn't work as well as we hope. I had 6 kids with me and of course one of them pushed the door the opposite way after we put the quarters in the machine. Needless to say I brought just enough quarters for everyone to get in. Overall experience was great. It's a long way to the top and the kids loved it. Bring water! Just remember don't accidentally push the door backwards. Also we noticed one of the handle keeps getting stuck between the bars. Like I said just bring more than enough quarters for...
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Highly recommend that if you live in the Des Moines area or close to this place, you definitely go visit. One of the coolest places I’ve seen in Iowa. Would definitely recommend going up the tower and seeing on top of the tower, but also highly recommend going down by the water. There’s some really cool cliffs in some really cool rocks and areas to swim. If you want an area with cool trees in an area with cool rocks and cool water definitely highly recommend going. There’s also some nice hiking trails although there’s not a lot there’s a cool...
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