The town took its name from a large projecting rock on a bluff of the Iowa River, which at a distance presented the appearance of steamboats lying at anchor. On one of these was what resembled a wheel-house, and on this grew a large pine tree looking somewhat like a smokestack which in 1885 was struck by lightning and the shock cut off the “wheel house” and ruined the resemblance to a steamboat. Floods later completely washed away the piece of rock known as the wheel-house.

While it might have had to draw largely on fancy and imagination to ever have seen a steamboat on the bank of the river at that point, it was enough to forever give a pretty name to the town site.

Today it is known as "The Valley Of Friendliness". Know that you will receive a warm welcome when you visit.

History of Steamboat Rock

The city of Steamboat Rock was platted in 1855 and named from a large rock on the river bluff which is said to resemble a queue of steamboats from a distance.

Find Us

Steamboat Rock is located in Hardin County in central Iowa right along the Iowa River. We are at the intersection of County Highway D35 and County Highway S56. We are just south of the Highway 20 exit 181 and just north of Pine Lake State Park.

Steamboat Rock, Iowa, is a primary gateway to the Iowa River Greenbelt in northern Hardin County.

It is a pleasant little village in the middle of the farm fields of Iowa, but also a gem in the green necklace of the Iowa River.  There is much to do, see and enjoy in and around us.

Explore our site and then come enjoy our hospitality.