Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks: hunting and access
Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks is 435 acres of public hunting land in Winneshiek County, 4 miles from Burr Oak, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 2,519 deer in Winneshiek County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's public hunting area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting, 2021 to 2025.
Public hunting areas on the DNR atlasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasOther DNR landUpper Iowa River - Chimney RocksCounty lineHighway
| Size | 435 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Winneshiek County |
| Deer harvest unit | Winneshiek County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Squirrel, Pheasant and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/3 Timber, 2/3 Upland, Upper Iowa River, Coldwate |
| DNR contact | Upper Iowa Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Burr Oak (4 mi), Ridgeway (8 mi) and Cresco (9 mi) |
What is Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/3 timber, 2/3 upland, upper iowa river, coldwate.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant and dove for Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks.
What are the rules on Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
Iowa's general hunting rules apply, and some DNR land is a posted wildlife refuge closed during set seasons; Iowa DNR wildlife management areas has area maps.
How many deer are taken around Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks lies in Winneshiek County. Hunters reported 2,519 deer in Winneshiek County in 2025, against 2,550 in 2024.
| County | Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winneshiek County | 435 | 2,519 | 2,550 | 2,469 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
The DNR's directions: 10 miles NW of Decorah on W20, 0.7 mile W on Chimney Rock Rd.
Nearest towns: Burr Oak (4 miles), Ridgeway (8 miles), Cresco (9 miles) and Decorah (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 52 and IA 139.
What other public land is near Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Coldwater Creek Wildlife Area: 313 acres, next to it
- Upper Iowa River - Mikesh: 30 acres, next to it
- Bluffton Fir Stand: 181 acres, next to it
- Upper Iowa River - McCabe: 78 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Bluffton Fir Stand State Preserve: 93 acres, 0.7 miles away
- Upper Iowa River - Plymouth Rock: 65 acres, 2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks
Counting Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks itself, 1,287 of the 28,200 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Public hunting areas on the DNR atlas | 1,230 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 48 |
| Other DNR land | 9 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
In Winneshiek County, 4 miles from Burr Oak.
What can you hunt on Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant and dove.
How much public land is around Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks?
1,287 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Upper Iowa River - Chimney Rocks included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Coldwater Creek Wildlife Area (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Iowa DNR public hunting areas (Hunting Atlas layer).
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.