The Lodge

Well, 2024 threw us a curveball we weren't expecting. Like a lot of folks in north-central Iowa, we got hammered by the June flooding that tore through the area. Forest City saw 5.50 inches of rain, and our property sits right along the Winnebago River, so you can imagine what happened next.

Our detached garage and storage shed took the worst of it. The building had been standing for decades, but three days of heavy rain plus the river overflowing its banks was just too much (and we do have to admit it wasn’t in tip top shape, considering we used it for kayaks and tractors). Water got into everything… yikes! The foundation cracked, the floor buckled, and the walls started separating from the base. We tried to salvage it at first, but our insurance adjuster and a structural engineer both said the same thing. They advised us to “tear it down and start fresh”. The concrete slab underneath was compromised too, with major cracking and settling from all that water saturation.

After getting quotes from a few companies who specialize in standalone garage and shed demo, we hired Madison Demolition Pros, a leading demolition company out of Dane County in nearby Wisconsin to be our contractor and bring out their excavators, bulldozers, and backhoe loaders. They were simply amazing. I can’t recommend them enough – if you need something simple like tearing down a roof or heck, even if you need a contractor to demo a pool, MDP are your guys. The building they demolished for us was roughly 1,200 square feet wood frame construction. Not massive, but not a quick afternoon demo job either. It had metal siding, a concrete foundation about 6 inches thick, and a bunch of rotted interior shelving and storage that was basically trash at that point. Madison Demolition Pros had experience demolishing large, flood-damaged structures, which mattered a lot to us. Their crew chief came out in early September to assess the site.

MDP gave us a three-week timeline from start to finish. Week one was all prep work. They got the necessary permits from the city, called in utility locates (we had electrical running to the building), and set up temporary fencing around the work zone since we still had guests staying at the hotel. They also had to coordinate with our local waste management because flood-damaged materials have specific disposal requirements in Iowa.

Week two was the actual demolition. They brought in a Caterpillar 320 hydraulic excavator with a thumb attachment—that thing made quick work of the structure. The crew started by carefully removing the metal siding and any salvageable lumber, which honestly wasn't much. Then they used the excavator to pull down the frame in sections. The whole building came down in about six hours of actual machine time, but they spent another two days sorting materials. Metal went in one dumpster, treated lumber in another, and the contaminated stuff that had been sitting in floodwater went to a special facility.

The foundation removal was harder than we expected. That concrete had been poured in the 70s and was reinforced with rebar. Madison Demolition Pros used a hydraulic breaker attachment on the excavator—basically a massive jackhammer—to crack the slab into manageable pieces. Each section weighed several hundred pounds. They loaded everything into a dump truck and hauled it to a concrete recycling center about 40 miles away. The whole foundation removal took three full days because they also had to excavate about 8 inches down to make sure they got all the compromised base material.

Week three was cleanup and grading. They used a Bobcat skid steer with a grading blade to level the area where the building had been, brought in clean fill dirt to replace what they'd removed, and compacted everything with a plate compactor. The site was left ready for whatever we decide to build next.

They also had a water truck on standby for dust control, which our hotel guests appreciated since we were operational the whole time.

Honestly, we're just grateful to have this project behind us and to have their experienced team make the drive from Madison. Madison Demolition Pros kept us in the loop the whole time, showed up when they said they would, and left the site cleaner than we expected. The total cost came in right where they'd quoted us, which after a year of unexpected expenses from flood damage, was a relief.

We're looking at building a new maintenance building on the site. Maybe something raised up higher this time with better drainage around it? Live and learn, right?

If you're dealing with flood damage or need demo work done in the region, we'd recommend giving Madison Demolition Pros a call. They know their stuff and they're straight to the point, which is all you can really ask for when you're dealing with this kind of headache. Now we just need the Winnebago to behave itself for a few years while we rebuild.

The Lodge Resort Hotel has become an unexpected sanctuary for Midwestern city dwellers seeking a genuine escape from the bustling pace of urban life. Drawing visitors from three major metropolitan areas—Minneapolis-St. Paul, Des Moines, and Madison—this charming retreat offers something increasingly rare in our hyperconnected world: authentic peace and quiet.

For the nearly 285,000 residents of Madison, Wisconsin – and even more counting all the habitants of Dane County’s biggest metro area, The Lodge represents freedom from one of America's fastest-growing cities. Madison's population has surged dramatically in recent years, transforming this once-sleepy college town into a bustling tech hub and government center. The constant construction, traffic congestion around the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, and the relentless energy of a metro area approaching 708,000 people can wear on even the most devoted Badger fan. The drive from Madison to Forest City takes approximately 3.5 hours via Highway 151 West and I-380, a gorgeous route to take and disconnect immediately. As Madisonians cross the Mississippi River into Iowa, the tension of endless meetings, packed farmer's markets, and the perpetual hunt for parking begins to melt away. The Lodge offers what Madison's booming central district simply cannot: space to breathe. For Madison professionals juggling demanding careers at Epic Systems or state government offices, The Lodge's distance from Wi-Fi temptations and work emails creates the forced disconnection they desperately need. The property's cross-country ski trails, riverside hiking paths, and fishing opportunities provide the outdoor recreation Madisonians crave, without the weekend crowds that now pack Devils Lake and Mirror Lake State Parks.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, home to over 3.7 million people, sits approximately 2.5 hours north of Forest City via I-35 South. Twin Cities residents escape one of America's largest metropolitan areas, trading the constant hum of urban life for The Lodge's oak-shaded tranquility.

For Des Moines residents—approximately 213,000 in the city proper and 750,000 in the metro area—Forest City sits roughly 2 hours north via Highway 69. While Iowa's capital may be smaller than the Twin Cities or Madison, it carries its own unique pressures. As the state's insurance industry epicenter and a rapidly growing Des Moines metro, the city's corporate culture demands long hours and constant connectivity.

Regardless of which city they're fleeing, visitors to The Lodge discover the same essential amenities: comfortable rooms in a retro chalet-style building, complimentary continental breakfast, a restaurant serving home-style meals, and acres of riverside property perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and simply unwinding. The property's pet-friendly policy means city dwellers can bring their dogs to experience grass and woods beyond the dog park fence.

Wherever you’re from, sometimes the best escape is the one closest to home.

Forest City offer exceptional freshwater fishing year-round. The Lodge sits directly on the Winnebago River, giving guests immediate access to quality fishing for northern pike, channel catfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, and various sucker species. Walk from your room to multiple fishing spots along our riverfront or use our complimentary canoe and kayak rentals to explore upstream and downstream. Early morning and evening provide the best action. Try live minnows for walleye and pike, nightcrawlers for catfish.

Clear Lake, just five miles from The Lodge, is Iowa's premier multi-species fishery. This 3,684-acre natural lake underwent a $9 million restoration in 2009 and now rivals destinations anywhere in the Midwest. The lake averages 10 feet deep with improved water clarity, diverse structure including rocky reefs, weed beds, and deep holes. Walleye run 17-24 inches with trophy fish over 8 pounds. Muskellunge reach 40-42 inches with a 40-inch minimum. The lake also holds excellent populations of yellow bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike, white bass, and flathead catfish. Spring brings excellent walleye along shallow rocky shorelines and around the western causeway, plus strong crappie spawns. Summer trolling along the north shoreline produces walleye, while weed edges hold bass and pike. Fall offers the best overall fishing when walleye are active, muskie fishing heats up, and crappie bite well. Winter ice fishing for walleye, perch, and crappie is outstanding.

Public access includes McIntosh Woods State Park with full amenities and fish cleaning stations, Tourist Park, Main Avenue Boat Ramp, Lynn Lorenzen Park, and the Fishing Jetty at Ventura Grade for shore fishing. Kevan Paul's Guide Service offers half-day and full-day guided trips, ice fishing expeditions, and group trips. Contact him at (641) 231-8028 or visit Clear Lake Bait & Tackle at 524 Highway 18 East for bait, tackle, fishing licenses, and weekly fishing reports posted on Facebook.

Rice Lake State Park, eight miles north, offers different fishing in a 1,200-acre shallow natural lake averaging 10 feet deep. Target walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, bluegill, and northern pike. The lake excels in spring, fall, and ice fishing season. Summer vegetation gets thick but creates excellent bass fishing in pockets and edges. Contact Clear Lake Fisheries Station at (641) 357-3517 for current conditions.

Iowa fishing licenses are required for anglers 16 and older. Annual resident licenses cost $22, annual non-resident $48, with various short-term options available. Purchase at Clear Lake Bait & Tackle, or Brother's Ace Hardware at 580 Highway 18 East. Check current regulations as size and possession limits vary by water body and species. The Lodge offers fishing packages including the Weekend Angler Package (two nights, complimentary canoe/kayak rental, late checkout, starting at $259) and Fishing Expedition Special (three nights, boat trailer parking, fish cleaning area access, starting at $369). We provide boat trailer parking, fish cleaning facilities, freezer space for your catch, and local fishing knowledge from our staff.

Our favorite place to hike is Pilot Knob State Park. It’s only about 10 minutes from The Lodge. Type in 2148 340th Street, Forest City, IA 50436 for your GPS. You can also check out the website here.

Pilot Knob is one of the earliest parks in Iowa's state park system, featuring sweeping vistas and unique ecological areas. This 537-acre park is the crown jewel of Forest City's outdoor offerings. It’s about 4 miles, making it beginner friendly. It begins at the park entrance and winds through the park, all paved and on park roads. This is the most popular route, offering gentle terrain perfect for all fitness levels. The elevation gain is 426 feet (one of the highest in the area) so give yourself 1.5 - 2 hours to do the full hike. There’s an observation tower for 360-degree views of the Iowa countryside. If you can get up early, it’s worth catching sunrise from there. Just remember to wear layers as it gets cooler the further up you go. Check this above linked website for current conditions. Trails may be closed during hunting season or after heavy storms.

We also recommend the Forest City Trail System that starts at Pammel Park on J Street. We’re lucky that our city offers 9 miles of well-maintained trails connecting downtown to Pilot Knob State Park. It’s perfect for casual walks, morning jogs, or family bike rides. The Hynes Spur Trail is a paved off-road 2 miler that’s really easy and makes it’s way through Pammel Park, the golf course, and the Winnebago Rally grounds. This is The Lodge's closest trail—you can literally walk from your room to the trailhead. Early mornings are really peaceful out here and of course it’s very safe so you can even do an after dinner walk to work off dessert.