Where Nature Plays and Your Heart Sings

Surrounding Area

We are located in beautiful Northeast Iowa, the unknown beauty of Iowa, ten minutes from the Mississippi River, senic drives, Riverboat Casino, Spook Cave, Effigy Mounds National Monument with Nature Trails & Indian Mounds, a variety of river towns all with unique shops and sights and golf courses within 20 minute drive.

Accommodations

There are many types of lodging and camping choices. Our three fully-furnished cozy log cabins are perched high on a bluff overlooking the Yellow River. Cabins sleep up to eight and are located at The Natural Gait. The Ion Inn and the Mule-Tel are located at Ion Exchange just a few minutes from the cabins. The Lodge's Great Room can accomodate up to 50 people for dinners, receptions, meetings, and more. You can get catered meals for any affair or event. Upstairs at the Lodge are dormitory style rooms which are often used for retreats, weddings, or if you are just needing a room. Pets are welcome at The Natural Gait Resort with a few exceptions (NO PETS ALLOWED AT THE ION INN OR THE MULE-TEL). We are even a horse hotel with covered Hi-Qual Stalls to allow your horse a safe and comfortable stay. Just inquire about your pet when you call.

Rooms/Suites

The best way to describe the cabins is "it is a home away from home with everything except your personal belongings and your food."There is something magical about these cabins. They allow you to escape to a place where time doesn't matter. The kitchens are fully furnished. Towels and bedding are provided. Wood stoves, fire rings with wood provided, outdoor grill and spectacular views are just a couple of the amenities.

Amenities

High speed internet available on site. Complete exercise and health club with racket ball and tennis courts and running track is within 20 minutes drive. The Natural Gait Mercantile on site is loaded with unusual items for you browsing and purchase. Hiking and horse trails await you right out your backdoor.
Backwater eco-tours on the Mississippi are fun and educational or just plain relaxing.

Restrictions

No Pets at The Ion Inn but are allowed at The Natural Gait Cabins and campground.

Other Information

There is so much to do at the Natural Gait Resort from trout and smallmouth bass fishing to star gazing.Here is a short list:• Fly Fishing • Star Gazing • Bird Watching (With the woodlands we have many birds that are not seen in populated areas)• Native Wildflowers (fields of wildflowers abound) • Hiking and Biking • Trail Riding (Horseback) The Natural Gait has miles and miles of trails for trail riding for all stages of horsemanship abilities. There are water crossings, beautiful scenery, hills, valleys and meadows. We offer sheltered HiQual Horse Stalls for your horses. Come bring your horses, bring your friends. Stay in one of our beautiful cabins, put your horses up in our sheltered stalls and have a great getaway! • Cross Country Skiing • Canoeing and Kayaking • Or just loafing around and enjoying all the beauty of this scenic natural setting! There is much history and legend to be found at The Natural Gait Resort and the surronding area.

Directions

Directions to The Ion Inn from Marquette, IA-Take 76, Great River Road, to the North out of Marquette. Immediately past the 14-mile marker turn left on X36. Go approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto Old Mission Drive. Go approximately 1-1/2 miles on Old Mission Drive. Turn left at Ion Exchange mailbox. The Ion Inn is the first building on the left. Directions to The Natural Gait from Monona, IAAt the 4 way stop in Monona, go east on East Iowa Street which turns into B-45. Go 5.2 miles on B-45 and turn left onto X-36. Take Jeff Davis off X-36 and go 3.2 miles and turn left onto Burger Road. The Natural Gait is at the end of Burger Road.Directions to The Natural Gait from Marquette, IA From Hwy. 18 headed west, take a right onto County Road B-45 (just past the “Welcome to Iowa” sign). Go 7.2 miles to X-36. Turn right or north on X-36. Take Jeff Davis off X-36 and go 3.2 miles and turn left onto Burger Road. The Natural Gait is at the end of Burger Road.