"Quick three day road trip, along with both the Dakota's Black Elk Peak and White Butte. almost 3 thousand miles round trip. Was a long one but beautiful. This HP was one of the most interesting - quite a fun spot to hang at for some time. Lots of history about the area. " — CravinoCrew • Jul 25, 2025

"First time we've slept at a high point! Well, technically we slept across the street from the high point, but the elevation difference was minimal. A surprisingly interesting high point, with a little farm museum and some nice informational plaques." — wazoheat • Sep 23, 2022

"A friend and I trekked up from Minnesota to the land of the corn-fed Iowans. Our sole goal - was to try and reach the summit of Hawkeye point. 210 miles later, surrounded by empty fields. We made it! Despite being no more than 20ft above than any other surrounding hill, it's still a HP! It's amazing how at each HP, you can tell that you are above every other land mass in the surrounding vicinity - quite a spectacular feeling really. Stay classy and keep climbing, - Ryan" — sklarguy • Mar 26, 2020

"Had to nab Iowa's high point! Adorable. It really is right next to someone's house. The landowners are incredibly generous for allowing access to the highpoint. #19 for me and #4 for Joe." — psychikingjes • May 19, 2019

"Went for this highpoint on Day 1 of RAGBRAI (Bike ride across Iowa) 2014. Me and my Cousin went off the course for the day at about mile 35. It was a 12 mile ride to the north from mile 35. We encountered about 4 miles of gravel roads near the high point. We reached it and too some photos. There were to local Iowans that told us if we went 1 mile to the east the road would be asphalt. This was helpful advice! After that we continued on biking to Spirit Lake, IA. Total of 87 miles biked for the day! HP #21/50 for me---#1/50 for my Cousin!" — hollis83 • Jul 20, 2014

"This was my 5th visit to Hawkeye Point and it has been fun watching the significant changes that have occurred here through the years. It has grown from a muddy spot in the middle of a cattle feed lot to an entertaining rest area full of interesting attractions. When I visited for the first time in 1986, Hawkeye Point did not even have an official name, but it was often referred to as Sterlers Summit, because the landowner was Merle Sterler. Mr. Sterler was very friendly and he always welcomed visitors to his special landmark. Thanks go to the Highpointers Club, who have worked to help make this spot continue to be accessible to the public after Mr. Sterler passed away. I visited Hawkeye Point this time with my son, Marshall, during our quest to reach the 10 highest "named" summit points in Iowa. Although Hawkeye Point cannot really be called an "ascent," it is one of our favorities with all the fun things to look at, even though it lacks a "lofty" view. It really is worth a visit, even for individuals who would rather be climbing Everest!" — Stewy • Jul 12, 2011

"side trip following a few very hot days on RAGBRAI. the old barn and watering trough have been pulled down and area landscaped. I had spoken with Mrs. Sterler on the phone in the early 1990s and she was charming and welcomed a visit anytime. she warned me to be aware of the cow manure out back. I unfourtanely did not get to visit at that time and never was able to meet this charming family. " — rhudedog • Jul 29, 2010

"At midnight on July 1, 1991, 5 climbers, Pete Allard, Jim Grace, Shaun Lacher, David Sandway and myself, Dennis Stewart, took their first step off the summit of Mount Rainier and began a climbing marathon to reach the highest point in each of the 48 contiguous states in one calendar month. During the month of July in 1991, the team hiked over 250 miles, climbed over 14 vertical miles and drove over 14,000 miles. Their total time (summit to summit) was 30 days, 10 hours and 52 minutes. All 5 members of the climbing team reached every summit during the month long expedition. Hawkeye Point was the 34th highpoint reached on this record breaking trip, which got the team recognition in Guinness Book of Records." — Stewy • Jul 17, 1991

"This was the first time I "climbed" Hawkeye Point. Back in those days, this area did not even have a name yet and the actual highest point was in the middle of a cattle feed lot. The landowner, Merle Sterler, was always happy to welcome visitors and, after state highpointing became so popular, he even handed out postcards with an aerial view of his farm to climbers. For a while, this spot was referred to as Sterlers Summit, but it did not stick and the more state appropriate name of Hawkeye Point was adopted. Iowa was the second to the last state to identify its highest point. Before this highest spot was located on Mr. Sterler's farm, Ocheyedan Mound to the east was believed to be the highest point in the state. Of course, since Hawkeye Point is not actually a "summit," if your goal is to reach the highest "summit" in each state, you should climb Ocheyedan Mound. If your goal is to stand on the highest elevation in each state, then Hawkeye Point is place you need to go to in Iowa. In either case, Ocheyedan Mound is now identified as the second highest named highpoint in the state and it deserves a visit if you want to feel like you actually made a climb in Iowa." — Stewy • Dec 30, 1986