You might be surprised to know that Iowa is home to several stunning waterfalls, and there's one, in particular, that's so worth a quick hike to visit. Malanaphy Spring feeds the Upper Iowa River, and the spring-fed waterfall along this 2-mile trail is one of Iowa's natural wonders.
It can be a bit tricky to find, but you can find directions to the trailhead by clicking here.
Even if you know what you're looking for, it could be easy to miss the small brown sign that marks Malanaphy Springs along the Upper Iowa River.
The parking lot is big enough for a few cars, but this hidden gem is often empty — especially on the weekdays.
From the parking lot, it's about a mile to the falls and will take you about half an hour of leisurely walking. Some parts of the trail may not be cleared, so wear sturdy shoes and consider bringing a walking stick.
The one-mile trek to the falls is worth any rough trail or bushwhacking you may encounter as it takes you to this spring that falls right into the Upper Iowa River.
If you've packed a lunch, here's a great spot to lay out a picnic! The roaring water is a soothing backdrop to your peaceful lunch with your family.
Kids love to splash and play in the pool at the bottom of the falls, so pack a lifejacket and jump right in!
Because it's spring fed, the water is chilly year-round, so bring towels and a change of clothes in case you're cold on the way back.
You can even climb right up to the top! Just double check that the footing is secure.
While you're out hiking in Decorah, you should make a pit stop to see two other Iowa Natural Wonders — the Decorah Ice Cave, and Dunning Spring Falls. Both require very little hiking to see, and you could easily tackle Malanaphy Springs, the Ice Cave, and Dunning Spring falls in one day, even with young children.
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