Get to Know: Winterset
Winterset is in the heart of Madison County, the “Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa” (yes, this is “The Bridges of Madsion County” from the book and movie). The quite enclave is located in the western portion of the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region and offers plenty of charm in an idyllic setting.
When you live in Winterset, the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival happens in your backyard, every October. It includes tours, horse-drawn wagon rides, blacksmith demonstrations, a parade, live music and even a nighttime Civil War cannon firing. Also in Madison County are the John Wayne’s Birthplace & Museum, Iowa Quilt Museum, Winterset Cidery and several wineries. Four miles southwest of Winterset is Pammel State Park, a space that provides a recreational area featuring cabin rentals, canoeing and kayaking, geocaching, trails and more. Enter the park through the Harmon Tunnel, Iowa’s only highway tunnel.
Alongside these highlights, you’ll find a community with small town appeal, with an easy commute and ready access to other areas of DSM.
Winterset at a Glance
- Population: 5,309 (2021, US Census Bureau)
- Location within Greater Des Moines: Southwest
- Type of Community: Mid-Sized Town
- School District: Winterset Community School District
- County: Madison
Winterset in one sentence: Winterset is home of the Bridges of Madison County and birthplace of John Wayne, The Duke himself.
The top five best things about Winterset: It’s small, it’s a close-knit community, there is a passion for small businesses and owners, it’s beautiful and ‘Iowa Nice’ is the real deal.
Hidden Gems and Unexpected Finds in Winterset: See the lavender blooms located on 20 acres at PepperHarrow Farm or see a John Wayne classic at the John Wayne Matinee Series at Winterset’s historic Iowa Theater. Madison County has a growing agritourism industry and the county is proud to have many farms that offer the opportunity to connect with the beautiful scenery of Madison County and livestock.
Community Traditions and Annual Events: The annual Covered Bridges Festival takes place the second full weekend of October. The Friday after Thanksgiving, you can catch the annual Festival of Lights in Winterset’s courthouse district. During the second weekend of December, head to the Winter Solstice Market. Finally, don’t miss the John Wayne Birthday Celebration in May!
Best Ways to Get Connected: Winterset Newcomers meets the third Thursday of the month. Community clubs such as the Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimist or the Madison County Women’s Giving Circle are ways to get connected and serve the community.
Big Things on the Horizon for Winterset: Winterset’s Madison County Conservation Center is now open, with programming and year-round events being added for people of all ages, including self-guided identification and scavenger hunts and more. Winterset was added as a Cultural District by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
If you’re coming to check out the community, be sure to spend your day ... : visiting the six historic Covered Bridges, exploring one (or more!) of Madison County’s amazing museums: the Madison County Historical Complex, John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, the Iowa Quilt Museum. Shop and support local at 73 local merchants around the Historic Winterset Courthouse District. Be sure to visit wineries, breweries and cideries such as Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset Cidery, Big Rack Brew Haus and 1st Down Brewing.
Some of the ways Winterset and Madison County advances inclusive strategies: Winterset and Madison County embrace inclusion through diverse cultural programming, accessible venues and opportunities for all residents to engage with the arts. The community celebrates its heritage with exhibits on women’s history and the LGBTQ+ community, a memorial to George Washington Carver and ongoing research on the County’s involvement in the Underground Railroad. Underrepresented creators are supported through an artist-in-residence program, while public art and murals honor local history and notable figures such as John Rox and Charles Trumbull White.
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