Visiting Hartman Reserve Nature Center: A Sweet Experience at the Maple Syrup Festival

Earlier this month, our family had the opportunity to visit the Hartman Reserve Nature Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for their annual Maple Syrup Festival. We were excited to get tickets for this annual event; the festival was a great blend of nature, education, and, of course, delicious food!

Exploring the Maple Syrup Process

One of the highlights of our visit was walking along the scenic trails surrounded by tapped trees. We were able to see the process up close and learn about how maple syrup is made at Hartman Reserve. In the Sugar Shack, veteran staff and volunteers shared their knowledge and expertise, explaining the process of turning raw sap into syrup.

Hartman Reserve has approximately 150 trees tapped throughout the nature center. The tapping process happens in late winter/early spring when nights are below freezing, but the days warm above freezing. To collect the sap, a hole is drilled into the tree, a spile is inserted, and a container is hung to gather the sap that flows out. Over the years, different collection methods have been used, but during our visit, we saw metal buckets with lids attached to the trees. Since sap moves through the tree like a straw, the spiles are placed strategically around the trunk. Depending on the size of the tree at Hartman Reserve, one or two spiles may be used per tree.

From Sap to Syrup

The collected sap is taken to the Sugar Shack, where it is boiled down to make maple syrup. Hartman Reserve collects sap from three types of maple trees: boxelder, sugar maple, and silver maple. The sugar concentration in sap varies, but the "Rule of 86" in syrup-making states that at 1% sugar concentration, you need 86 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. If the concentration is 2%, you only need 43 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. Hartman’s sap typically falls between 1 and 2% concentration. The syrup is graded based on its color, and Hartman Reserve’s syrup is darker compared to the lighter syrups often found in Vermont. The maple syrup season lasts for about 4 to 6 weeks, beginning in late February or early March and ending when the trees start to bud.

A Delicious Treat

Of course, one of the best parts of the festival was tasting the maple syrup! The pancakes and syrup were so good that I didn’t even stop to take a picture — I was too busy enjoying every bite. Fun fact: the syrup served at the festival is from the previous year’s batch since the current season's sap is still being collected and processed.

More to Explore at Hartman Reserve

After enjoying our meal, we took some time to explore the Hartman Interpretive Center, which is perched on a bluff above the Cedar River. The center features interactive children’s exhibits and wildlife displays, which our kids loved. We were also impressed with the variety of kids’ camps available this spring and summer. Our children are already asking to come back this summer to explore the trails and the interpretive center even more.

A Must-Visit Destination

Hartman Reserve Nature Center is truly a natural wonderland nestled in the middle of Cedar Falls. As a partner site of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, it does a great job preserving and educating visitors about Iowa’s natural and agricultural heritage. If you're planning a trip to the area, be sure to also check out other Silos & Smokestacks attractions like the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum and the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum.

We had a fantastic time at the Maple Syrup Festival, and we can’t wait to visit Hartman Reserve again. Whether you're interested in learning about the syrup-making process, hiking scenic trails, or exploring interactive exhibits, this nature center has something for everyone!