Iowa is a state full of surprises, with what seems like a hidden gem around every corner. Even if you’ve lived here your entire life, there are still plenty of new things to be discovered every day – like these 10 enchanting spots in Iowa that you probably never knew existed. You’ll want to explore them ASAP, and bring a camera!
- The Swinging Bridge, Columbus Junction
Chris Brooks/Flickr This enchantingly beautiful area is highlighted by a swinging bridge, which is also known as Lovers Leap Bridge. The legend goes that a heartbroken Native maiden jumped off the bridge and to her death and that her anguished spirit still lingers in the area. You can read more about this bridge in our previous article.
Address: 303 Oak St, Columbus Junction, IA 52738
- Siewers Spring, Decorah
J. D. Adelmund/Flickr Siewers Spring in Decorah runs along Trout Run Trail from the fish hatchery, so it’s no surprise that this is a great spot to do a little fishing while you take in the charming scenery. Travel Iowa has a great write-up on the spot.
Address: Siewers Spring Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
- East Park, Mason City
Visit Mason City East Park in Mason City is a magnificent 57-acre park that offers stunning scenery, as well as a gazebo, five shelter houses, a playground, recreational area, and more. Visit Mason City has more information on this gorgeous little slice of Heaven!
Address: 802 3rd Street Northeast, Mason City, Iowa, 50401
- Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Council Bluffs
S C Hargis/Flickr The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a gorgeous, 63-mile trail that runs through Council Bluffs, Mineola, Silver City, Malvern, Imogene, Shenandoah, Coin and Blanchard. Trail-goers will get the chance to walk the trail through the Loess Hills, and enjoy some of the finest scenery in all of Iowa. Make sure to check the website for the most up-to-date trail information, including how to access it.
- Crystal Lake Cave, Dubuque
Soumit Nandi/Flickr Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque is a completely magical place to visit. Spend a day exploring the caverns, doing some mineral sluicing, or picnicking on the pavilion. Visit the official Crystal Cave website to plan your adventure!
Address: 6684 Crystal Lake Cave Road, Dubuque, Iowa, 52003
- Jester Park, Granger
Phil Roeder/Flickr Jester Park is a 1,675-acre park on the western shore of Saylorville Lake that offers camping, picnicking, and golfing in a quiet country setting. Although it’s just a half-hour from downtown Des Moines, a surprising number of people don’t know about it! Find more information on the website.
Address: 11121 Northwest Jester Park Drive, Granger, Iowa, 50109
- The Upper Iowa River, Bluffton
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr The Upper Iowa River, and the bluffs along it, are without a doubt one of the most enchanting scenes in the state. The 156-mile long river flows through the cities of Chester, Lime Springs, Florenceville, Kendallville, Bluffton, and Decorah.
- The Loess Hills Lavender Farm, Missouri Valley
The Loess Hills Lavender Farm/Facebook This lavender farm is located in the beautiful Loess Hills of western Iowa, and is a fun, unique place that not enough people know about. The farm is family owned, and they offer tours, hold events, and sell a variety of items in the gift shop. The experience is something you couldn’t find anywhere else in Iowa! Get all the info you need for your visit on the website.
Address: 2278 Loess Hills Trail, Missouri Valley, Iowa, 51555
- Phelps Park, Decorah
Denise Krebs/Flickr Phelps Park in Decorah is a truly underrated, but enchanting park that offers extensive playground areas, shelters, a band shell, a fountain, hiking trails, as well as some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. Visit the state park website for all the information you’ll need to plan your trip ASAP.
Address: 613 Park Street, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
- Three Mile Lake, Afton
Google Maps Three Mile Lake in Afton is a gorgeous, and pretty unknown, area that offers fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and more. This is a great place to spend a day with the family, enjoying the fresh air and the remarkable beauty of nature. Lake information can be found on the Iowa DNR website.
Address: 3 Mile Cabin Lane, Afton, Iowa, 50830
There are so many more hidden gems in Iowa, this list barely scratches the surface. Do you have a few places you would add to the list? Share these enchanting spots in Iowa with us in the comments!
Chris Brooks/Flickr
This enchantingly beautiful area is highlighted by a swinging bridge, which is also known as Lovers Leap Bridge. The legend goes that a heartbroken Native maiden jumped off the bridge and to her death and that her anguished spirit still lingers in the area. You can read more about this bridge in our previous article.
Address: 303 Oak St, Columbus Junction, IA 52738
J. D. Adelmund/Flickr
Siewers Spring in Decorah runs along Trout Run Trail from the fish hatchery, so it’s no surprise that this is a great spot to do a little fishing while you take in the charming scenery. Travel Iowa has a great write-up on the spot.
Address: Siewers Spring Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
Visit Mason City
East Park in Mason City is a magnificent 57-acre park that offers stunning scenery, as well as a gazebo, five shelter houses, a playground, recreational area, and more. Visit Mason City has more information on this gorgeous little slice of Heaven!
Address: 802 3rd Street Northeast, Mason City, Iowa, 50401
S C Hargis/Flickr
The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a gorgeous, 63-mile trail that runs through Council Bluffs, Mineola, Silver City, Malvern, Imogene, Shenandoah, Coin and Blanchard. Trail-goers will get the chance to walk the trail through the Loess Hills, and enjoy some of the finest scenery in all of Iowa. Make sure to check the website for the most up-to-date trail information, including how to access it.
Soumit Nandi/Flickr
Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque is a completely magical place to visit. Spend a day exploring the caverns, doing some mineral sluicing, or picnicking on the pavilion. Visit the official Crystal Cave website to plan your adventure!
Address: 6684 Crystal Lake Cave Road, Dubuque, Iowa, 52003
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Jester Park is a 1,675-acre park on the western shore of Saylorville Lake that offers camping, picnicking, and golfing in a quiet country setting. Although it’s just a half-hour from downtown Des Moines, a surprising number of people don’t know about it! Find more information on the website.
Address: 11121 Northwest Jester Park Drive, Granger, Iowa, 50109
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr
The Upper Iowa River, and the bluffs along it, are without a doubt one of the most enchanting scenes in the state. The 156-mile long river flows through the cities of Chester, Lime Springs, Florenceville, Kendallville, Bluffton, and Decorah.
The Loess Hills Lavender Farm/Facebook
This lavender farm is located in the beautiful Loess Hills of western Iowa, and is a fun, unique place that not enough people know about. The farm is family owned, and they offer tours, hold events, and sell a variety of items in the gift shop. The experience is something you couldn’t find anywhere else in Iowa! Get all the info you need for your visit on the website.
Address: 2278 Loess Hills Trail, Missouri Valley, Iowa, 51555
Denise Krebs/Flickr
Phelps Park in Decorah is a truly underrated, but enchanting park that offers extensive playground areas, shelters, a band shell, a fountain, hiking trails, as well as some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. Visit the state park website for all the information you’ll need to plan your trip ASAP.
Address: 613 Park Street, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
Google Maps
Three Mile Lake in Afton is a gorgeous, and pretty unknown, area that offers fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and more. This is a great place to spend a day with the family, enjoying the fresh air and the remarkable beauty of nature. Lake information can be found on the Iowa DNR website.
Address: 3 Mile Cabin Lane, Afton, Iowa, 50830
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Rocksylvania Ave, Iowa Falls, IA 50126, USAAddress: Siewers Spring Road, Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USAAddress: 802 3rd St NE, Mason City, IA 50401, USAAddress: Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Mineola, IA, USAAddress: 6684 Crystal Lake Cave Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003, USAAddress: 11121 NW Jester Park Dr, Granger, IA 50109, USAAddress: Upper Iowa River, Iowa, USAAddress: 2278 Loess Hills Trail, Missouri Valley, IA 51555, USAAddress: 613 Park St, Decorah, IA 52101, USAAddress: 3 Mile Cabin Ln, Dodge, IA 50830, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Enchanting Spots in Iowa May 05, 2021 Tori Jane What are some of the most popular attractions in Iowa? Let’s face it, people don’t necessarily think “Iowa” when they’re planning a family vacation or a personal getaway, but maybe they should! Iowa is a beautiful state without the crowd you’ll find in more commercial tourist areas like Chicago or New York City. Iowa is a little more low-key than most places; here, you’ll find such gems as various museums, such as the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, where you can kill a whole afternoon learning about one of the largest rivers in the country. The State Capitol building, in des Moines, is gorgeous in every sense of the word. Architecture and history buffs will love it. Where are the most beautiful places in Iowa? Some people might call Iowa a “flyover state”, but they just don’t know how to really appreciate this beautiful little place. The state of Iowa is lush and green, with never-ending rolling hills and stunningly beautiful blue skies. Some of the most scenic spots in the entire state include the River Bluffs Scenic Byway, which is indeed quite scenic. Roll the windows down and enjoy the countryside as it was intended. Ledges State Park, in Boone, was one of our very first state parks. It’s quite beautiful, especially in autumn, when the leaves transition from green to brilliant shades of golds, oranges, and reds before fluttering from the trees for the winter. Spook Cave is a must-see for anyone interested in geology. If you know where to look, you’ll find beauty all over the state. Need more inspiration? Add these things to your Iowa bucket list ASAP. What are some fun things to do in Iowa? In Iowa, you can camp, hunt, fish, and swim in most of our breathtaking natural spots. Camping is fun whether you decide to truly rough it with a primitive campsite or if you prefer the more luxurious “glamping” route, and we have 16 lakes around the state to enjoy as well. You might not think about hiking when you think of Iowa, but maybe you should; we have hundreds of miles of scenic trails, walking paths, and horseback trails where you can get your nature on. The fishing here is great, and don’t even get us started on the stargazing!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Enchanting Spots in Iowa
May 05, 2021
Tori Jane
What are some of the most popular attractions in Iowa? Let’s face it, people don’t necessarily think “Iowa” when they’re planning a family vacation or a personal getaway, but maybe they should! Iowa is a beautiful state without the crowd you’ll find in more commercial tourist areas like Chicago or New York City. Iowa is a little more low-key than most places; here, you’ll find such gems as various museums, such as the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, where you can kill a whole afternoon learning about one of the largest rivers in the country. The State Capitol building, in des Moines, is gorgeous in every sense of the word. Architecture and history buffs will love it. Where are the most beautiful places in Iowa? Some people might call Iowa a “flyover state”, but they just don’t know how to really appreciate this beautiful little place. The state of Iowa is lush and green, with never-ending rolling hills and stunningly beautiful blue skies. Some of the most scenic spots in the entire state include the River Bluffs Scenic Byway, which is indeed quite scenic. Roll the windows down and enjoy the countryside as it was intended. Ledges State Park, in Boone, was one of our very first state parks. It’s quite beautiful, especially in autumn, when the leaves transition from green to brilliant shades of golds, oranges, and reds before fluttering from the trees for the winter. Spook Cave is a must-see for anyone interested in geology. If you know where to look, you’ll find beauty all over the state. Need more inspiration? Add these things to your Iowa bucket list ASAP. What are some fun things to do in Iowa? In Iowa, you can camp, hunt, fish, and swim in most of our breathtaking natural spots. Camping is fun whether you decide to truly rough it with a primitive campsite or if you prefer the more luxurious “glamping” route, and we have 16 lakes around the state to enjoy as well. You might not think about hiking when you think of Iowa, but maybe you should; we have hundreds of miles of scenic trails, walking paths, and horseback trails where you can get your nature on. The fishing here is great, and don’t even get us started on the stargazing!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Let’s face it, people don’t necessarily think “Iowa” when they’re planning a family vacation or a personal getaway, but maybe they should! Iowa is a beautiful state without the crowd you’ll find in more commercial tourist areas like Chicago or New York City. Iowa is a little more low-key than most places; here, you’ll find such gems as various museums, such as the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, where you can kill a whole afternoon learning about one of the largest rivers in the country. The State Capitol building, in des Moines, is gorgeous in every sense of the word. Architecture and history buffs will love it.
Where are the most beautiful places in Iowa?
Some people might call Iowa a “flyover state”, but they just don’t know how to really appreciate this beautiful little place. The state of Iowa is lush and green, with never-ending rolling hills and stunningly beautiful blue skies. Some of the most scenic spots in the entire state include the River Bluffs Scenic Byway, which is indeed quite scenic. Roll the windows down and enjoy the countryside as it was intended. Ledges State Park, in Boone, was one of our very first state parks. It’s quite beautiful, especially in autumn, when the leaves transition from green to brilliant shades of golds, oranges, and reds before fluttering from the trees for the winter. Spook Cave is a must-see for anyone interested in geology. If you know where to look, you’ll find beauty all over the state. Need more inspiration? Add these things to your Iowa bucket list ASAP.
What are some fun things to do in Iowa?
In Iowa, you can camp, hunt, fish, and swim in most of our breathtaking natural spots. Camping is fun whether you decide to truly rough it with a primitive campsite or if you prefer the more luxurious “glamping” route, and we have 16 lakes around the state to enjoy as well. You might not think about hiking when you think of Iowa, but maybe you should; we have hundreds of miles of scenic trails, walking paths, and horseback trails where you can get your nature on. The fishing here is great, and don’t even get us started on the stargazing!
