We invite you to discover our beautiful county located just minutes from our State's capital - Des Moines, Iowa.  We offer small-town hospitality with old-world charm.  In fact, you won't find one stop light in all of Guthrie County. What you will find are beautiful views of rural Iowa and an abundance of activities and attractions, entertainment, dining, lodging, and shopping to please everyone.

Guthrie County, covering 591 square miles in west-central Iowa, is made up of a beautiful rural landscape dotted with ten incorporated communities: Adair, Bagley, Bayard, Casey, Guthrie Center, Jamaica, Menlo, Panora, Stuart, and Yale. Just a short 45-mile drive from the Des Moines metropolitan area, the county is also home to two private lake developments: Lake Panorama and Diamondhead Lake.  

Looking for water activities?  Head to the Middle Raccoon River for excellent fishing, camping, canoeing, and kayaking. With several access ramps and historic Lenon Mill Park, you can experience the beauty of the river - one of only five protected waterways in Iowa.

Check out the Raccoon River Valley Recreational Trail, located on the former Milwaukee RR line, for biking, rollerblading, dog walking, and even cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Be sure to bring along your binoculars for some spectacular bird watching, too.

Take a nice drive.  Head south or west and you will be traveling the Western Skies Scenic Byway. If you’d prefer a little bit of history, check out the White Pole Road Scenic Byway located on old Highway 6 in the southern part of our county.  If you want to get off the beaten path, track down all of the 37 Guthrie County Barn Quilts that are decorating our rural farmsteads.

Discover original prairies, flowing rivers, scenic roadways, historic towns, and miles and miles of trails. Whether you stay for an hour, a day, or a lifetime, there truly is something for everyone to discover in Guthrie County.  We hope you enjoy your visit.