The best hikes in Iowa take you all over the state, from the Loess Hills to the overlooks at Pikes Peak. How many of these have you knocked off of your Iowa bucket list? Are you planning an adventure to any of these spots this year? Here are some of the most wonder-filled, delightful best hikes in Iowa that are perfect for spring.
- Ledges State Park, Boone
Flickr / Carl Wyckoff This state park may be small, but it is one you can’t miss! Miles of hiking trails take you through streams, past enormous rock foundations and through a beautiful, breathtaking wildflower field. This is an amazing state park in Iowa you’ll want to come back and hike time and time again. Ledges State Park, P Avenue, Madrid, IA, USA
- Loess Hills State Forest, Pisgah
Flickr / Northern Lights 119 This enormous, sprawling state park shows off some of the most unique geography in the state. The Loess Hills are Iowa’s “Front Range”, and the views from the top of these hills are absolutely stunning. Loess Hills State Forest is also the site of some of the best Fall color hikes in Iowa. Loess Hills State Forest - Pisgah Unit - Parking / Trail Head, Jackson Township, IA 51564, USA
- Mines of Spain, Dubuque
Flickr / Maciej Ciupa Mines of Spain was one of the first areas of Iowa settled by Europeans! Justin Dubuque received a land grant from the King of Spain, and established his life here among the Native Americans. Now, the spot is popular for hiking and offers some stunning overlooks. The Mines of Spain is a challenging hike in Iowa you won’t soon forget. Mines of Spain Road, Mines of Spain Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003, USA
- Geode State Park, Danville
Flickr / Christine Warner Hawks Geode State Park is a stunning wooded park that will take your breath away with every new trail you discover. Pack a picnic lunch because you will never want to leave! As a bonus, Geode Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Iowa there is, and we think you’ll love a good hike around it. Geode State Park, 3333 Racine Ave, Danville, IA 52623, USA
- Pikes Peak State Park
Flickr / Todd Ehlers Pikes Peak State Park takes you to the highest overlook in Iowa - but it’s not a tough hike! Enjoy the view from the clouds - and take a picture to show anyone who tries to tell you that Iowa is flat. Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
- Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa
Flickr / Phil Roeder One of Iowa’s most popular state parks is gorgeous in the spring! Explore the challenging trails and caves. Make time to track down “Dance Hall Cave” - it will certainly make an impression. This is one incredible state park in Iowa you can’t afford to skip. Maquoketa Caves State Park, 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
- Wapsipinicon State Park, Anamosa
Christine Warner/Flickr Wapsipinicon State Park is centered around the “Wapsi” river, and nearby you’ll find all sorts of river crossings and riverfront restaurants! Explore this relaxing park with your family and on your way home, stop by any one of the local eateries nearby for a tasty meal. Wapsipinicon River, Iowa, USA
- Waubonsie State Park
Flickr / Vincent Parsons Waubonsie State Park is one of the best places to experience the Loess Hills. Climb to the top of the Overlook Trail, or hike the hilly Sunset Ridge trail. Whether you’re looking for a short and sweet hike in Iowa or miles to explore, you’ll find it here. Waubonsie State Park, 2585 Waubonsie Park Rd, Hamburg, IA 51640, USA
- Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Western Iowa
Flickr / SC Hargis The 63 mile Wabash Trace Nature Trail in Iowa is a long rail trail that runs from Council Bluffs to Blanchard. Any section you choose to explore is worth it! If you choose to tackle the whole thing, you’ll cross 70 restored bridges. If you’re a cyclist, join the local crew on a Taco Ride, where you’ll be rewarded with some tasty food at the end. Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Mineola, IA, USA
- Backbone State Park, Dundee
Flickr / JD Adelmund The first state park in Iowa is also one of the best! Enjoy the hiking trails or relax on the lakeside beach. When it’s warm enough, paddle out on the lake for a memorable adventure. Backbone State Park, 1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038, USA
- Lake Macbride State Park, Solon
Flickr / Tony Webster Lake Macbride State Park’s trails will take you over and around the lake and even up to some waterfalls! If you want to cool off by the water, this is the place to go. These are some wonderful easy hikes in Iowa you’re sure to love. Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
What would you call the best hikes in Iowa? If you really want to see the best scenery in the state, take our One Day Loess Hills Road Trip and prepare for an unforgettable journey.
Flickr / Carl Wyckoff
This state park may be small, but it is one you can’t miss! Miles of hiking trails take you through streams, past enormous rock foundations and through a beautiful, breathtaking wildflower field. This is an amazing state park in Iowa you’ll want to come back and hike time and time again.
Ledges State Park, P Avenue, Madrid, IA, USA
Flickr / Northern Lights 119
This enormous, sprawling state park shows off some of the most unique geography in the state. The Loess Hills are Iowa’s “Front Range”, and the views from the top of these hills are absolutely stunning. Loess Hills State Forest is also the site of some of the best Fall color hikes in Iowa.
Loess Hills State Forest - Pisgah Unit - Parking / Trail Head, Jackson Township, IA 51564, USA
Flickr / Maciej Ciupa
Mines of Spain was one of the first areas of Iowa settled by Europeans! Justin Dubuque received a land grant from the King of Spain, and established his life here among the Native Americans. Now, the spot is popular for hiking and offers some stunning overlooks. The Mines of Spain is a challenging hike in Iowa you won’t soon forget.
Mines of Spain Road, Mines of Spain Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003, USA
Flickr / Christine Warner Hawks
Geode State Park is a stunning wooded park that will take your breath away with every new trail you discover. Pack a picnic lunch because you will never want to leave! As a bonus, Geode Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Iowa there is, and we think you’ll love a good hike around it.
Geode State Park, 3333 Racine Ave, Danville, IA 52623, USA
Flickr / Todd Ehlers
Pikes Peak State Park takes you to the highest overlook in Iowa - but it’s not a tough hike! Enjoy the view from the clouds - and take a picture to show anyone who tries to tell you that Iowa is flat.
Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Flickr / Phil Roeder
One of Iowa’s most popular state parks is gorgeous in the spring! Explore the challenging trails and caves. Make time to track down “Dance Hall Cave” - it will certainly make an impression. This is one incredible state park in Iowa you can’t afford to skip.
Maquoketa Caves State Park, 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Christine Warner/Flickr
Wapsipinicon State Park is centered around the “Wapsi” river, and nearby you’ll find all sorts of river crossings and riverfront restaurants! Explore this relaxing park with your family and on your way home, stop by any one of the local eateries nearby for a tasty meal.
Wapsipinicon River, Iowa, USA
Flickr / Vincent Parsons
Waubonsie State Park is one of the best places to experience the Loess Hills. Climb to the top of the Overlook Trail, or hike the hilly Sunset Ridge trail. Whether you’re looking for a short and sweet hike in Iowa or miles to explore, you’ll find it here.
Waubonsie State Park, 2585 Waubonsie Park Rd, Hamburg, IA 51640, USA
Flickr / SC Hargis
The 63 mile Wabash Trace Nature Trail in Iowa is a long rail trail that runs from Council Bluffs to Blanchard. Any section you choose to explore is worth it! If you choose to tackle the whole thing, you’ll cross 70 restored bridges. If you’re a cyclist, join the local crew on a Taco Ride, where you’ll be rewarded with some tasty food at the end.
Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Mineola, IA, USA
Flickr / JD Adelmund
The first state park in Iowa is also one of the best! Enjoy the hiking trails or relax on the lakeside beach. When it’s warm enough, paddle out on the lake for a memorable adventure.
Backbone State Park, 1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038, USA
Flickr / Tony Webster
Lake Macbride State Park’s trails will take you over and around the lake and even up to some waterfalls! If you want to cool off by the water, this is the place to go. These are some wonderful easy hikes in Iowa you’re sure to love.
Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Iowa April 15, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the most scenic hikes in Iowa? Who says you can’t enjoy a nice, scenic hike in Iowa? We sure don’t! Sure, it may not be the most mountainous place in the world, but its hiking trails are wonderful, nonetheless. Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Iowa include delights like Pea’s Creek Canyon, at Ledges State Park. It’s a four-mile trek with lots of super unique views, and it’s frequently called one of the best hikes in Iowa. Another great one is the Pilot Knob Trail, at Pilot Knob State Park, a 700-acre nature park with awesome trails. This hike features the awesome Pilot Knob Tower and makes for one of the best fall hikes in Iowa when the time comes. We also love Dancehall Cave Trail at Maquoketa State Park; there are six miles of stunning hikes all over the park, and this one features caves and stunningly green scenery you don’t want to miss. And, honestly, while you’re at it, pretty much every trail at Yellow River State Forest deserves a mention as well. What are the most popular easy hikes in Iowa? If we’re being real here, just about every hike in Iowa is an easy one; thanks to our relatively flat terrain, we’ve got easy hikes in the bag. Among our favorite easy hikes in Iowa are longer gems like the High Trestle Trail at Wagner Park, which is a 24.9-mile adventure from Ankeny to Woodward featuring some truly wonderful views. For those who prefer their easy trails a little shorter, be sure to check out the Scott County Park Nature Trail at Scott County Park; it’s three and a half miles long and is a splendid walk at a beautiful, 128-acre nature park. Then, head to George Wyth State Park to do the 2.8-mile hike through the park’s beautiful woods or do the Little River Scenic Pathway at Little River Recreation Area, which is 3.3 miles of mostly paved awesomeness you’re sure to love.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Iowa
April 15, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the most scenic hikes in Iowa? Who says you can’t enjoy a nice, scenic hike in Iowa? We sure don’t! Sure, it may not be the most mountainous place in the world, but its hiking trails are wonderful, nonetheless. Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Iowa include delights like Pea’s Creek Canyon, at Ledges State Park. It’s a four-mile trek with lots of super unique views, and it’s frequently called one of the best hikes in Iowa. Another great one is the Pilot Knob Trail, at Pilot Knob State Park, a 700-acre nature park with awesome trails. This hike features the awesome Pilot Knob Tower and makes for one of the best fall hikes in Iowa when the time comes. We also love Dancehall Cave Trail at Maquoketa State Park; there are six miles of stunning hikes all over the park, and this one features caves and stunningly green scenery you don’t want to miss. And, honestly, while you’re at it, pretty much every trail at Yellow River State Forest deserves a mention as well. What are the most popular easy hikes in Iowa? If we’re being real here, just about every hike in Iowa is an easy one; thanks to our relatively flat terrain, we’ve got easy hikes in the bag. Among our favorite easy hikes in Iowa are longer gems like the High Trestle Trail at Wagner Park, which is a 24.9-mile adventure from Ankeny to Woodward featuring some truly wonderful views. For those who prefer their easy trails a little shorter, be sure to check out the Scott County Park Nature Trail at Scott County Park; it’s three and a half miles long and is a splendid walk at a beautiful, 128-acre nature park. Then, head to George Wyth State Park to do the 2.8-mile hike through the park’s beautiful woods or do the Little River Scenic Pathway at Little River Recreation Area, which is 3.3 miles of mostly paved awesomeness you’re sure to love.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Who says you can’t enjoy a nice, scenic hike in Iowa? We sure don’t! Sure, it may not be the most mountainous place in the world, but its hiking trails are wonderful, nonetheless. Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Iowa include delights like Pea’s Creek Canyon, at Ledges State Park. It’s a four-mile trek with lots of super unique views, and it’s frequently called one of the best hikes in Iowa. Another great one is the Pilot Knob Trail, at Pilot Knob State Park, a 700-acre nature park with awesome trails. This hike features the awesome Pilot Knob Tower and makes for one of the best fall hikes in Iowa when the time comes. We also love Dancehall Cave Trail at Maquoketa State Park; there are six miles of stunning hikes all over the park, and this one features caves and stunningly green scenery you don’t want to miss. And, honestly, while you’re at it, pretty much every trail at Yellow River State Forest deserves a mention as well.
What are the most popular easy hikes in Iowa?
If we’re being real here, just about every hike in Iowa is an easy one; thanks to our relatively flat terrain, we’ve got easy hikes in the bag. Among our favorite easy hikes in Iowa are longer gems like the High Trestle Trail at Wagner Park, which is a 24.9-mile adventure from Ankeny to Woodward featuring some truly wonderful views. For those who prefer their easy trails a little shorter, be sure to check out the Scott County Park Nature Trail at Scott County Park; it’s three and a half miles long and is a splendid walk at a beautiful, 128-acre nature park. Then, head to George Wyth State Park to do the 2.8-mile hike through the park’s beautiful woods or do the Little River Scenic Pathway at Little River Recreation Area, which is 3.3 miles of mostly paved awesomeness you’re sure to love.
