The Villages of Van Buren County are home to some hidden gems, historic homes, delicious restaurants, and places to relax. One of the best treasures of the county is right in Bentonsport. Read about this beautiful rose garden hiding within the ruins of a mill below.
Bentonsport, Iowa is one of the famously charming Villages of Van Buren County.
I was in third grade when I first laid eyes on Pulpit Rock at Will Baker Park in Decorah, Iowa. I was camping with my family at the nearby namesake campground, and being a flatlander from the southern part of the state, I was in gape-mouthed awe of the towering limestone formation. Other than chasing trout with my Dad in nearby Twin Springs, I spent much of that weekend scrambling around on the Pulpit Rock bluffs. What I didn't know at the time was that those camping trips to Pulpit Rock were actually scouting expeditions, and not too much later, my family relocated from Iowa City to Decorah. So, I got to grow up hiking around the park. And as I got bigger, the trails got shorter, but I was still amazed by this rock formation in my backyard. Even though I moved for college and haven't lived in town for quite some time, I still think it's pretty darn cool, and I like to visit when I go back home.
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In the time since I left, my charming hometown of Decorah has emerged as something of a tourist hotspot in the Hawkeye State, but with all the focus on the Upper Iowa River, the singletrack, and the waterfalls, Pulpit Rock is often overlooked as an area attraction. That's why I think it's one of the best natural hidden gems in Iowa.
The hike from the base of the bluff to the lookout over Pulpit Rock is pretty short loop - it comes in at only half a mile. But AllTrails rates it moderately challenging - and my middle-aged body agrees - due to the steep climb, stairs, and rough patches on the trail.
But the little bit of effort that the hike takes earns you a big payoff at the top, with awesome views of the - as you'll see from the overly - aptly named pulpit rock and the bucolic Upper Iowa River valley.
After you've had your fill of exploring Pulpit Rock and Will Baker City Park, keep the groove going with a cold beverage from Pulpit Rock Brewing Co., where you'll find 10 or so revolving brews on tap, as well as cans for sale. It's only a mile or so from its eponymous landmark, on the west side of the College Dr. bridge over the Upper Iowa River.
It's also a great jumping off point if you want to continue exploring the area with a visit to Dunning's Spring and/or Ice Cave State Preserve. These two popular parks are adjacent to each other on Ice Cave Road, just another mile or so downstream from the brewery. Dunning's Spring Park is home to Iowa's tallest waterfall. In the preserve, you'll find Ice Cave, which stays cool enough to preserve ice crystals throughout the year. Along with Pulpit Rock, these are two more reasons to visit the area. If you want to make a weekend of it, I recommend you book a stay at the Historic Hotel Winneshiek, which offers a prime Water St. location in Decorah's charming downtown area, as well as a great lobby bar. I think you'll really like it.
Iowa's state parks and forests get a lot of deserved attention, but it's easy to forget that the county and urban parks have a lot to offer as well. The Hawkeye State has put a lot of effort into creating beautiful little oases in the middle of some of its biggest cities, and that even goes for the massive urban center of Des Moines. This is where you'll find Easter Lake Park, a popular urban park that recently opened the most accessible recreation area in Iowa. It's been under development for a long time, and around 10 years ago, it opened the Mark C. Ackelson Trail, a beautiful and accessible 4.1-mile trail that takes you around gorgeous Easter Lake. This is a fun, easy lake hike in Des Moines that offers some big surprises - as well as one of the best views in all of Iowa.
The Mark C. Ackelson Trail checks in at 4.1 miles, and this easy boardwalk and paved hike is a great way to get some stunning water views on a brisk day of hiking. Most of the trail is easy to navigate, and you'll encounter only 114 feet of elevation gain.
There are plenty of nice spots along the lake path to sit and have a picnic, with beautiful views and some great lake breezes. As the weather cools down, it's a perfect place to take in the fall air.
There are several amazing surprises along the trail, like one of the smallest covered bridges in the state. It's a little touch of Winterset's charm without ever having to leave Des Moines!
As the leaves start to change, this becomes an amazing spot to catch some fall foliage before it's gone. The path is accessible enough that people with mobility impairments or with small children who need strollers should be able to take it with ease.
It should take a little over an hour to hike the trail - but if you're still here when the sun starts to go down, prepare yourself for a truly amazing show of colors.
Have you hiked the Mark C. Ackelson Trail in Easter Lake Park? Let us know about your visit to this lake hike in Des Moines in the comments section! You can see more pictures of the hike on the AllTrails listing, and make sure to visit the website for Easter Lake Park to learn more about the local amenities. If you're new to hiking, AllTrails Plus is a great tool to have, offering point-by-point directions to help you make your way back to the trailhead, as well as a fun way to keep track of your hiking progress!
