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Nature|National & State Parks

These 13 State Parks In Iowa Are Breathtakingly Beautiful

Discover the best state parks in Iowa for hiking, scenic views, and outdoor activities.

Updated Aug 9, 2022

Written by 

Michaela Kendall

Iowa has countless state parks, and each one is more beautiful than the last. If you enjoy hiking, walking, biking, rock climbing, swimming, picnicking, wildlife observing, or just getting some fresh air and enjoying a gorgeous view, then look no further, because here is your ultimate guide to the best state parks to visit in Iowa.

1. Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor

A serene landscape at dawn, featuring a river, lush greenery, and a misty horizon under a colorful sky.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr

One of the best state parks in Iowa happens to be Pikes Peak State Park. With its very own canyon and 500-foot-tall bluff, it's awe-inspiring, to say the least.

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2. Maquoketa Caves State Park in Maquoketa

A natural rock arch surrounded by lush greenery and trees in a serene forest setting.
Phil Roeder/Flickr

As the name of this park suggests, there are caves found within Maquoketa Caves State Park. Take an otherworldly trail in Iowa through this state park for an adventure like no other in the state.

3. Bellevue State Park in Bellevue

Scenic view from a lookout point overlooking a river, with benches and trees in the foreground.
Yinan Chen/Flickr

Take in views of the Mighty Mississippi River at an overlook along a trail found in this state park. It's one of the

best hiking trails in Iowa.

4. Backbone State Park in Delaware County

A scenic view of a river winding through colorful autumn trees and hills under a clear sky.
Matthew Hoelscher/Flickr

Backbone State Park is considered one of the best state parks in Iowa. With its rugged landscape, caves, rivers, and a lake, there is plenty to explore here.

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5. Ledges State Park near Boone

A serene river flows through a rocky bed, surrounded by lush green trees and a rocky cliff in the background.
Carl Wycoff/Flickr

The 1,200-acre Ledges State Park provides the perfect place to take a day trip in Iowa. With its gorgeous forests and trails to explore, you may not want to leave!

6. Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa

A serene river flows through a landscape of autumn trees, reflecting golden and orange hues under a clear blue sky.
jdurchen/Flickr

If you're looking for things to do outside in Iowa, a trip to Wapsipinicon State Park may be in order. With rivers and caves, there are no shortage of places to explore in this state park.

7. Pine Lake State Park in Eldora

A serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with a few people on a small dock under a blue sky.
josquin2000/Flickr

Some of the best hiking trails in Iowa can be found at Pine Lake State Park. Take the Pine Lake South Trail here for some of the most scenic views!

8. Lake MacBride State Park in Solon

A woman and a child walk along a path by a river, with trees and autumn leaves in the background.
Mike Willis/Flickr

The largest state park in Iowa happens to be Lake MacBride State Park in Solon. With 2,100 acres, you could spend days here and not be able to explore it all.

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9. Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry.

A scenic view of a river winding through lush green and autumn-colored hills under a clear sky.
Yinan Chen/Flickr

If river views are what you're after, there's no better state park in Iowa than Effigy Mounds National Monument. It's one of the best state parks in Iowa for scenery.

10. Stone State Park in Sioux City

A person walks down a wooded path surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Ali Eminov/Flickr

Perfectly picturesque any time of the year, Stone State Park offers plenty of things to do outside in Iowa. Take a hike along one of the many trails, rent a cabin in the park, and more. It's a wonderful nature escape!

11. Preparation Canyon State Park in Moorhead

A winding dirt path through lush green hills, viewed from a wooden staircase overlooking the landscape.
Christine Warner Hawks/Flickr

With stunning hiking trails in Iowa, Preparation Canyon State Park can be enjoyed any time of year. There's even a gorgeous overlook you can hike to here.

12. Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mount Vernon

A dirt path lined with wooden fences, surrounded by trees with autumn leaves in vibrant colors.
Phil Roeder/Flickr

Not only are some of the oldest trees in the state found here but Palisades-Kepler State Park is home to some of the darkest skies in Iowa. If you love stargazing, spend some time at night here.

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13. Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine

A serene forest scene with vibrant autumn leaves, wooden bridges, and a peaceful, wooded landscape.
nome joy/Flickr

Wildcat Den State Park is one of the best state parks in Iowa with a tree tunnel. It's simply magical!

Are there any more state parks to visit in Iowa that should be added to this list? Share your favorites in the comments section!

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Iowa Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

The Backbone Trail at Backbone State Park, near Dundee, IA, may be the most iconic Iowa hiking trail

Published Oct 16, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

Folks who aren't from the Hawkeye State may not realize just how many awesome hiking trails we have. From the Driftless Area in the northeast to the Loess Hills in the southwest, and all the river bluffs and prairie pathways in between, thousands of miles of trails lace the Iowa landscape. Among these, there are a few could be described as iconic, and among these, I think there's one trail, in particular, that everyone should hike at least once; the Backbone Trail at Backbone State Park near Dundee. In fact, if you ask me, I think it's the most iconic Iowa hiking trail.

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Christine Donnelly/AllTrails

A few things make the Backbone Trail iconic. To start, it's the crown jewel of Iowa's oldest state park. Founded in 1920, 2000-acre Backbone State Park was the state's first, and what got folks' attention was the narrow limestone spine - the Devil's Backbone - jutting out into a tight bend in the Maquoketa River. It's the highest point in northeastern Iowa, and it gave the park and the trail their names.

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John Holland/AllTrails

The landscape surrounding the backbone is heavily wooded. In fact, a big chunk of the park - more than 130 acres - is designated as a state forest. This renders the limestone wall rising up above the treetops, even more dramatic - and the fact that you can hike out along the top of it even cooler.

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Tony Hanson/AllTrails

You know what else? Backbone Trail is probably one of the - if not the - most popular hikes in Iowa. The DNR estimates that the park receives more than 600,000 annual visitors, making it one of three or four most visited state parks in Iowa. The two most visited state parks - Lake Manawa and Gull Point - are really more oriented toward water activities. And the short, easy, gorgeous Backbone Trail is the most popular hike at this popular park.

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Jeff Svejda/AllTrails

The whole loop is only about a mile, with just over 100 feet in elevation gain across the entire hike. You do have to watch out for roots and rocks, and the narrow portions of the trail do have some pretty steep drop-offs: The backbone is only 15 feet wide in some places, and rises from 50 to 80 feet above the river below. I remember taking my kids out on the backbone when they were little and keeping them pretty close at hand in these sections.

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Daniel Kane/AllTrails

Backbone State Park remains open year-round and is absolutely gorgeous in all seasons. Visit the park's page on the DNR website for more details and camping information. As iconic as it is, the Backbone Trail only accounts for one of the park's 21 miles of hiking trails; check out AllTrails Plus for more hiking tips and suggestions at Backbone State Park.

Do you agree that the Backbone Trail is the most iconic Iowa hiking trail? Let us know in the comments!

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Nature|Hiking

The Breathtaking Small-Town State Park in Iowa That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Located near the small town of Spirit Lake, Elinor Bedell State Park is a hidden-gem park in Iowa that even many dedicated explorers don't know about.

Published Sep 1, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

The Iowa Great Lakes are an amazing vacation area, filled with some of the best spots in the Hawkeye State for recreation on the water and touristy fun. But for those who want to get away from those busy-season crowds, the area is also home to some amazing hidden-gem parks in Iowa. Many of these hidden gems are located right on the shores of Spirit Lake. One of our favorites is Elinor Bedell State Park, which at only 80 acres, is one of the smallest in the state (but definitely not the smallest). This tiny park has a great trail to explore, and odds are, even during the summer, you'll be able to find some peace and quiet here.

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Denise Krebs/Flickr

Spirit Lake is a great spot in the northern part of Iowa. It's set slightly apart from the hustle and bustle of Arnolds Park but still offers all the features and natural beauty you'd want from a outdoor adventure in the Iowa Great Lakes.

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Ila Harskamp/AllTrails

While you're in the area, make sure you take the time to explore Elinor Bedell State Park. This small but peaceful state park is located on the shores of Spirit Lake and is rarely very crowded, so it's a great place to go for a quick hike.

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Cheyenne MacClain/AllTrails

There is only one trail in this park, but the 1.1-mile loop is an easy sunny-day adventure that should be suitable for any skill level. The trail is mostly paved and is welcoming to dogs, although your furry friend must be on a leash.

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Steven Koep/AllTrails

This is a particularly great spot to visit during the spring, when wildflowers are in full bloom, and during the fall when the entire area is covered with fall foliage.

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Le Cox/AllTrails

The park was dedicated by former Congressman Berkley Bedell and his wife and, today, stands as a peaceful little refuge amid the bustling Spirit Lake area. A shelter ideal for events and a small campground are available, although the campground will be closed for renovations during the 2025 season.

Have you visited Elinor Bedell State Park on the shores of Spirit Lake? Let us know about your visit to this hidden-gem park in Iowa in the comments section! You can read more about the amenities at this park on the Iowa DNR website. For those planning on more hiking adventures, we highly recommend AllTrails Plus - it's a great app that offers point-by-point hiking directions through downloadable trail guides, so you'll always be connected even when the reception is spotty. And if you're looking for a great, family-friendly place to stay in the area, check out this luxurious cabin rental.

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