12 Best Hikes In Iowa One For Each Month Of The Year

The best hikes in Iowa include winter wonderlands, spots that come alive in the spring, places to escape the heat and crowds of summer, and stunning displays of fall foliage. Enjoy a little bit of every season in the Hawkeye State when you embark on these inviting adventures. We truly treasure living in Iowa, and the natural beauty is just one of many reasons we love it here!

January - Ledges State Park

AllTrails / Ryan Dresback The 1.7-mile Canyon Road and Table Rock Loop is a busy trail in the spring and summer months, but if you come here in the winter, you’ll be treated to stunning views and total silence. It’s a great way to experience the park without the crowds. Ledges State Park is the perfect spot for a First Day hike in Iowa.

February - Lake MacBride State Park

Flickr / Rich Hermann Lake MacBride is lovely all year long! In the winter, though, you get some beautiful days that make strolling through the trails a dream come true. It’s easy to see why so many people consider Lake Macbride to be one of the most scenic spots in Iowa.

March - Effigy Mounds National Monument

Flickr / Matthew Dillon Effigy Mounds National Monument is a sacred spot that’s nice to visit in the quiet of the late winter and early spring. On a warm day, you can hear the birds singing to welcome the better weather ahead. This National Monument in Iowa is worth a visit.

April - High Trestle Trail, Bridge Section

AllTrails / Colin Brocka April tends to be a wet and muddy month in Iowa, so head to a less woodsy trail! The High Trestle Trail is a long bike trek through Iowa, but the section of the trail that crosses the gorgeous High Trestle Trail bridge is worth visiting on foot. This is easily the coolest bridge hike in Iowa!

May - Pikes Peak State Park

AllTrails / Jason Halfpap Visit Pikes Peak State Park and hike the 3.9-mile Weeping Rock and Hickory Ridge Loop to enjoy one of Iowa’s most popular overlooks while all the kids are still in school! Iowa’s Grand Canyon is too beautiful for words!

June - Wabash Trace Nature Trail

AllTrails / Laura Richards The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a long rail-to-trail bike path that’s known for hosting Taco rides. What’s a taco ride? Well, read more here to find out! You’ll quickly see why this is a unique day trip destination in Iowa.

July - Lake Ahquabi

AllTrails / Jonathan Suddarth The four-mile trail around Lake Ahquabi is a quiet spot that’s a great summertime getaway. Beat the heat in the shade and dip your toes in the water to cool off. You’ll fall in love with this underrated summertime spot in Iowa.

August - Maquoketa Caves State Park

AllTrails / Denise Stephen Speaking of summertime heat - when it gets unbearable, head underground! It’s always nice and cool at Maquoketa Caves State Park. The loop trail through the park is less than two miles, but you’ll certainly get your steps in exploring all of the fascinating caves. Make time for a trip to see the best caves in Iowa!

September - Hitchcock Nature Center

AllTrails / Luke Azverde It’s never a bad time to visit the Loess Hills, and the 6.3-mile loop from the Hitchcock Nature Center is a challenging hike that’s perfect when the weather starts to cool down a bit. You’ll find some of the best views in Iowa right here!

October - Mines Of Spain

AllTrails / Yuri Steventon In October, explore the historic Mines of Spain in Dubuque. While the trails aren’t very long - the stunning Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail is less than a mile - you’ll want to spend all day here just soaking in the views of fall along the river. You’ll learn a lot when you visit this historic park in Iowa.

November - Waubonsie State Park

AllTrails / Mark Johnson Head back to the Loess Hills when the leaves are gone, and you’ll catch beautiful views as far as the eye can see. The Mincer Trail and Sunset Ridge Trail Loop is a two-mile loop that’s rarely crowded, straightforward, and simple. Enjoy your day exploring one of Iowa’s oldest state parks.

December - Preparation Canyon State Park

AllTrails / Cindy Weis Finally, close out the year with a visit to Preparation Canyon State Park. The four-and-a-half-mile loop trail takes you along the ridgeline, where you can see for miles in every direction. Read more about this little-known overlook and plan your winter day trip.

Where do you plan to hike in the coming year? Let us know by nominating your favorite trail!

AllTrails / Ryan Dresback

The 1.7-mile Canyon Road and Table Rock Loop is a busy trail in the spring and summer months, but if you come here in the winter, you’ll be treated to stunning views and total silence. It’s a great way to experience the park without the crowds. Ledges State Park is the perfect spot for a First Day hike in Iowa.

Flickr / Rich Hermann

Lake MacBride is lovely all year long! In the winter, though, you get some beautiful days that make strolling through the trails a dream come true. It’s easy to see why so many people consider Lake Macbride to be one of the most scenic spots in Iowa.

Flickr / Matthew Dillon

Effigy Mounds National Monument is a sacred spot that’s nice to visit in the quiet of the late winter and early spring. On a warm day, you can hear the birds singing to welcome the better weather ahead. This National Monument in Iowa is worth a visit.

AllTrails / Colin Brocka

April tends to be a wet and muddy month in Iowa, so head to a less woodsy trail! The High Trestle Trail is a long bike trek through Iowa, but the section of the trail that crosses the gorgeous High Trestle Trail bridge is worth visiting on foot. This is easily the coolest bridge hike in Iowa!

AllTrails / Jason Halfpap

Visit Pikes Peak State Park and hike the 3.9-mile Weeping Rock and Hickory Ridge Loop to enjoy one of Iowa’s most popular overlooks while all the kids are still in school! Iowa’s Grand Canyon is too beautiful for words!

AllTrails / Laura Richards

The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a long rail-to-trail bike path that’s known for hosting Taco rides. What’s a taco ride? Well, read more here to find out! You’ll quickly see why this is a unique day trip destination in Iowa.

AllTrails / Jonathan Suddarth

The four-mile trail around Lake Ahquabi is a quiet spot that’s a great summertime getaway. Beat the heat in the shade and dip your toes in the water to cool off. You’ll fall in love with this underrated summertime spot in Iowa.

AllTrails / Denise Stephen

Speaking of summertime heat - when it gets unbearable, head underground! It’s always nice and cool at Maquoketa Caves State Park. The loop trail through the park is less than two miles, but you’ll certainly get your steps in exploring all of the fascinating caves. Make time for a trip to see the best caves in Iowa!

AllTrails / Luke Azverde

It’s never a bad time to visit the Loess Hills, and the 6.3-mile loop from the Hitchcock Nature Center is a challenging hike that’s perfect when the weather starts to cool down a bit. You’ll find some of the best views in Iowa right here!

AllTrails / Yuri Steventon

In October, explore the historic Mines of Spain in Dubuque. While the trails aren’t very long - the stunning Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail is less than a mile - you’ll want to spend all day here just soaking in the views of fall along the river. You’ll learn a lot when you visit this historic park in Iowa.

AllTrails / Mark Johnson

Head back to the Loess Hills when the leaves are gone, and you’ll catch beautiful views as far as the eye can see. The Mincer Trail and Sunset Ridge Trail Loop is a two-mile loop that’s rarely crowded, straightforward, and simple. Enjoy your day exploring one of Iowa’s oldest state parks.

AllTrails / Cindy Weis

Finally, close out the year with a visit to Preparation Canyon State Park. The four-and-a-half-mile loop trail takes you along the ridgeline, where you can see for miles in every direction. Read more about this little-known overlook and plan your winter day trip.

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Address: Waubonsie Park Rd, Washington, IA 51640, USAAddress: Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa 76, Harpers Ferry, IA, USAAddress: Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USAAddress: Caves Road, Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USAAddress: Lake Macbride Trail, Solon, IA 52333, USAAddress: Preparation Canyon Rd, Sioux, IA 51558, USAAddress: Hitchcock Nature Center, 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542, USAAddress: Lake Ahquabi, Iowa 50125, USAAddress: Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Mineola, IA, USAAddress: High Trestle Trail, Iowa, USAAddress: Mines of Spain Road, Mines of Spain Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003, USAAddress: Ledges State Park, P Avenue, Madrid, IA, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Iowa August 12, 2022 Kim Magaraci What are some of the best hikes in Iowa?

While the list above certainly encompasses some of our favorite scenic hikes in Iowa, there are so many more that you can discover if you look around. Take a look at our list of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa and you’ll see that the Hawkeye State has so much natural beauty just waiting to be discovered! Are there any easy hikes in Iowa?

There certainly are easy, kid-friendly hikes in Iowa! One of our favorites is the short hike to Malanaphy Springs. The hike to the spring waterfall is just under a mile, so it won’t tire the kiddos out too much. Splashing and playing in the waterfall is sure to cool anyone off on a hot day. Other easy, kid-friendly hikes in Iowa include just about any trail through Backbone State Park, and the stroll through Reiman Garden.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Iowa

August 12, 2022

Kim Magaraci

What are some of the best hikes in Iowa?

While the list above certainly encompasses some of our favorite scenic hikes in Iowa, there are so many more that you can discover if you look around. Take a look at our list of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa and you’ll see that the Hawkeye State has so much natural beauty just waiting to be discovered! Are there any easy hikes in Iowa?

There certainly are easy, kid-friendly hikes in Iowa! One of our favorites is the short hike to Malanaphy Springs. The hike to the spring waterfall is just under a mile, so it won’t tire the kiddos out too much. Splashing and playing in the waterfall is sure to cool anyone off on a hot day. Other easy, kid-friendly hikes in Iowa include just about any trail through Backbone State Park, and the stroll through Reiman Garden.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Are there any easy hikes in Iowa?

There certainly are easy, kid-friendly hikes in Iowa! One of our favorites is the short hike to Malanaphy Springs. The hike to the spring waterfall is just under a mile, so it won’t tire the kiddos out too much. Splashing and playing in the waterfall is sure to cool anyone off on a hot day. Other easy, kid-friendly hikes in Iowa include just about any trail through Backbone State Park, and the stroll through Reiman Garden.