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Nature|Waterfalls

The Stunning Top-Secret Waterfall In Iowa Nobody’s Ever Heard Of

Published Aug 2, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Decorah is one of Iowa's most beautiful small towns, combining a wonderful small-town atmosphere and a rich cultural history with some stunning natural sites only minutes from downtown. When you talk about Decorah and waterfalls, almost everyone's mind immediately goes to Dunnings Spring Falls - and we can't blame them! It's definitely one of the state's most beautiful sights. But did you know there's a secret waterfall in Iowa only minutes from that park, and it's easy to find with only a short hike? Welcome to Twin Springs Park, one of the most relaxing and beautiful city parks in Iowa. It's best seen with a 0.8-mile loop trail, the Twin Springs Headwaters Loop Trail, which will take you right by a charming waterfall. We think it's a great way to spend a peaceful summer day and beat the crowds and the heat!

One of the most laid-back parks in Iowa, Twin Springs Park is perfect for a hot summer day.

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Nick Chill/Google Local

The park is a small area just outside of Decorah, and it's an ideal spot for a quick summer hike followed by a cookout. It's a dog-friendly park if you have fido on a leash.

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Darrin Ochsner/google Local

The small park only has one trail, an easy 0.8-mile loop trail. Just follow it along the creek...

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Darrin Ochsner/Google Local

And you'll come to a beautiful, tiny waterfall that makes an incredibly peaceful photo opportunity.

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Tom Huffman/Google Local

There will rarely be anyone around except on the busiest days - but you might get some local company from the woods and the trout anglers targeting the holes along the stream.

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Nick Chill/Google Local

This park only takes a short time to explore, but it's well worth sticking around for a beautiful sunset by the falls.

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Logan Strom/AllTrails

Have you visited Twin Springs Park in Decorah and seen this beautiful secret waterfall in Iowa? Let us know about your visit in the comments section! If you want to see more pictures of the trail, make sure to visit the AllTrails trail listing. If you love hiking, consider a subscription to AllTrails Plus. The mobile app is remarkably convenient for hiking in remote areas, thanks to its downloadable trail maps with step-by-step instructions. And if you're looking for a memorable night out in Decorah after your hike, check out nearby Twin Springs Supper Club.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Union Grove Lake Lower Loop Is One Of The Best Waterfall Hikes In Iowa

Published Jul 3, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

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!

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

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Jason Sydejko/AllTrails

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.

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Darrin Ochsner/AllTrails

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

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Le Cox/AllTrails

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

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Valerie Boelman/AllTrails

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

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Daniel Valencia/AllTrails

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

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Jon Day/AllTrails

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.

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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.

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Nature|Waterfalls

You’ll Fall In Love With The Tiny Waterfall Hiding Along This Rustic Iowa Trail

Published Jun 4, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

There are some spectacular waterfalls in Iowa, some of which are among the state's most popular tourist attractions. That means you'll probably have a lot of company jockeying for that perfect photo! The good news is, there are some smaller falls where you'll have a lot more privacy - including one where you might be the only person for miles around. We were surprised to find a secret waterfall trail in Iowa, located in the rural middle of the state. That's where you'll find Woodman Hollow State Preserve, a rustic spot that has been designated as a protected area. While no hunting or camping is allowed in the preserve, it's a popular spot for birdwatching - and the one trail is a rustic, challenging one-mile hike that leads to a beautiful cascade that few people know about. So strap on those hiking boots and come with us to learn more!

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Woodman Hollow is not a popular destination, and that makes it a great spot for those who really want to be alone in nature.

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Chris Ruhs/Google Local

There is only one trail here - a mile-long loop trail - and it's a moderate route that is mostly unmaintained.

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Josie Wright/AllTrails

That means you should be prepared for rocky terrain and scrambling.

The trail can be overgrown, but there are beautiful sights along the way, including a laid-back waterfront...

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Daniel Goodpaster/Google Local

As well as some intriguing ruins.

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Daniel Goodpaster/Google Local

However, most visitors in the know are headed for one spot...

Woodman Hollow Falls is the most difficult-to-access cascade in Iowa, and this small waterfall is little-known outside of waterfall hunters.

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Brandon Glienke/AllTrails

That makes it a uniquely peaceful spot.

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Dogs are welcome here, as long as they're on a leash. This waterfall isn't too far from the Beeds Lake Spillway, about 45 minutes by car.

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Kim MacArthur/Google Local

Have you visited Woodman Hollow State Preserve for this secret waterfall trail in Iowa? Let us know about your visit in the comments section! You can find out more about the Woodman Hollow State Preserve Trail on its AllTrails trail listing, and we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails Plus for this hike - the step-by-step, downloadable instructions will be a big help on an unmaintained trail like this.

Otho is a pretty small and isolated town, but you're not far from Fort Dodge - where you'll find this popular car-themed bar-and-grill.

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