Some of my favorite hikes are those that include the best waterfalls in Iowa. These cascades are scattered around the state, and some take a pretty long and intense hike to reach. One that doesn't is located in Union Grove State Park, a beautiful rural haven about 65 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids. This laid-back park is home to maybe the best waterfall hike in Iowa, the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop. Coming in at only 2.3 miles, this easy loop trail is an ideal day adventure for beginner hikers and is full of beautiful sights even before you get to the park's famous spillway. We find this is an amazing hike any time of the year, because it's so accessible to all skill levels. Read on to discover why this hike belongs on your state park bucket list!

Union Grove State Park is one of those laid-back hidden gems that's great for hiking, sight-seeing, and even camping.

There are two main trails here, and the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop trail is an easy 2.3-mile loop trail that's suitable for all skill levels.

The trail is most popular in the summer, when the lake is at its most beautiful and is ripe for recreation.

The highlight here, though, is probably the park's famous, small waterfall - a beautiful sight.

A small spillway, it's one of the most beautiful sights in the park and offers a great photo op for visitors.

While more people visit during warm weather, it's uniquely peaceful in the winter, as well, when it's frozen solid.

Have you hiked the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop before? What's your favorite waterfall hike in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can see more pictures of this trail on its official AllTrails trail listing, and visit the Union Grove State Park website for more information about this laid-back park's many amenities. And if you're looking to build up to more challenging hikes, we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails +, so you'll always be equipped with downloadable trail guides and step-by-step directions, no matter how remote things get.

Looking for a unique place to eat around this area? Head to the nearby community of Marshalltown for The Flying Elbow, an over-the-top, wrestling-themed restaurant.