Major city · United States
Missouri Valley
Half a day is enough: see the Loess Hills bluffs, the Bertrand wreck at DeSoto Bend, then move on. Not a base.
Missouri Valley is a small town in Southwest Iowa on the Missouri River, best known for the Loess Hills and the DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge. Most travellers use it as a quick stop between Council Bluffs and Sioux City on I-29. Half a day covers the main sights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Airport
- OMA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Missouri Valley911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Missouri Valley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOMA Eppley Airfield (Omaha) (About 40 min south via I-29; rental car needed.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–3
- Street or quick mealLunch (sandwich + drink)$10–15
- Budget bedMotel room (chain along I-29), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel room (chain along I-29), a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedMotel room (chain along I-29), a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OMA Eppley Airfield (Omaha) (About 40 min south via I-29; rental car needed.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Missouri Valley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
5 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is small but the sights (DeSoto Bend, Loess Hills overlooks) are spread out along the river.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
I-29 south, about 20 min
Casinos, the Union Pacific Museum and the Loess Hills State Forest.
Atlantic, Iowa
goDoor to door: 40 min
US-30 east, about 40 min
Small-town Iowa with a historic square and the Rock Island Depot.
Villisca
cautionDoor to door: 1 h 10 min
US-30 east then IA-148 south, about 1 h 10 min
The Villisca Axe Murder House; only for true-crime fans.
Audubon
goDoor to door: 50 min
US-30 east, about 50 min
Albert the Bull and the Audubon County Historical Museum.
Clarinda
cautionDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
I-29 south to US-34 east, about 1 h 15 min
Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum; a detour if you're a fan.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along I-29 / US-30
A few chain motels near the interstate; no walkable centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (chain along I-29)1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Trip total≈ US$170 per person per day, bed included | US$340 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and rental car excluded.
Prices of common things
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.00–3.50 (check) |
| Coffee (diner) | $2–3 |
| Lunch (sandwich + drink) | $10–15 |
| Motel room (chain) | $70–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- DeSoto Bend closes at dusk; check the refuge website for seasonal hours.
- Watson Steam Train runs only on select weekends — confirm via their Facebook page before going.
- No public transport; rideshare is unreliable.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Missouri ValleyMissouri Valley
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- I-29 from Council Bluffs to Missouri Valley: about 20 min, no toll
- Taxi from Omaha airport to Missouri Valley: $60–90 (check)
No local public transport; you need a car.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Missouri Valley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Missouri Valley
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