Is there anything better in the summer than some cool, crisp, natural water? When the sun is beating down and you need some relief, a trip to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iowa is just the ticket. You’ll find massive natural cascades, small breakaway streams, and man-made spillways that all have their own unique charm. You can do these waterfalls as a road trip, or take them one by one whenever you need a little summer relief. The only thing that’s for sure is that no matter where in Iowa you explore, you’ll find a waterfall worth a stop.
- Siewers Spring (Decorah)
TravelIowa This quiet spillway is a beautiful haven in Decorah, located near the local fish hatchery. Siewers Spring Road, Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
- MacBride Falls (Solon)
Stanbro81/TripAdvisor The Hawkeye State’s largest state park is full of beautiful sights, and this rocky spillway often gets overlooked by tourists. Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
- Dunnings Springs (Decorah)
TravelIowa Iowa’s most famous waterfall, it’s located in the middle of a popular state park and is only a short drive from the famous Ice Cave. Dunning’s Spring Park, Ice Cave Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
- Malanaphy Springs (Bluffton)
Christopher B/TripAdvisor A two-mile hike out of Decorah takes you to this beautiful and isolated site, and makes a great day trip along with a visit to local brewhouses. Malanaphy Spring Falls, 2820 Bluffton Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
- Beulah Springs Falls (McGregor)
Stanbro81/TripAdvisor This tiny waterfall is located on the same campground as the Spook Cave boat ride, making it a peaceful spot for a picnic in the crowded location. Spook Cave Road, Spook Cave Rd, Iowa 52157, USA
- Union Grove State Park Spillway (Gladbrook)
TravelIowa One of the best man-made spillways in Iowa, it’s an ideal spot on a road trip through rural Iowa. Several offbeat museums like Matchstick Marvels are nearby. Union Grove State Park, 1215 220th St, Gladbrook, IA 50635, USA
- Briggs Woods Waterfall (Webster City)
TravelIowa If you’re taking the well-maintained trails through Briggs Woods Park, you may be surprised by this small-but-impressive waterfall. Briggs Woods Park, 2450-2498 Briggs Woods Rd, Webster City, IA 50595, USA
- Beed’s Lake State Park Spillway (Hampton)
Iowa DNR Definitely one of Iowa’s best man-made marvels, this mighty spillway is one of the best photo ops in the state. Beeds Lake State Park, 1422 165th St, Hampton, IA 50441, USA
- Big Springs Park (Guttenberg)
TravelIowa Guttenberg is one of Iowa’s most underrated small towns, and a hike through the forest will take you to this Eden you’ll likely have all to yourself. Big Springs, Clayton County X56, Guttenberg, IA 52052, USA
- Willow Creek Waterfall (Mason City)
TravelIowa A walk through Mason City will take you to this rare urban waterfall, located in the backyard of a renowned art museum. Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, 303 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, USA
Have you been to any of these unique cascades? What are your favorite waterfalls in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section. If you’re looking for another adventure into Iowa’s natural beauty, consider this trip to one of Iowa’s best warm-weather towns.
TravelIowa
This quiet spillway is a beautiful haven in Decorah, located near the local fish hatchery.
Siewers Spring Road, Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Stanbro81/TripAdvisor
The Hawkeye State’s largest state park is full of beautiful sights, and this rocky spillway often gets overlooked by tourists.
Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
Iowa’s most famous waterfall, it’s located in the middle of a popular state park and is only a short drive from the famous Ice Cave.
Dunning’s Spring Park, Ice Cave Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Christopher B/TripAdvisor
A two-mile hike out of Decorah takes you to this beautiful and isolated site, and makes a great day trip along with a visit to local brewhouses.
Malanaphy Spring Falls, 2820 Bluffton Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
This tiny waterfall is located on the same campground as the Spook Cave boat ride, making it a peaceful spot for a picnic in the crowded location.
Spook Cave Road, Spook Cave Rd, Iowa 52157, USA
One of the best man-made spillways in Iowa, it’s an ideal spot on a road trip through rural Iowa. Several offbeat museums like Matchstick Marvels are nearby.
Union Grove State Park, 1215 220th St, Gladbrook, IA 50635, USA
If you’re taking the well-maintained trails through Briggs Woods Park, you may be surprised by this small-but-impressive waterfall.
Briggs Woods Park, 2450-2498 Briggs Woods Rd, Webster City, IA 50595, USA
Iowa DNR
Definitely one of Iowa’s best man-made marvels, this mighty spillway is one of the best photo ops in the state.
Beeds Lake State Park, 1422 165th St, Hampton, IA 50441, USA
Guttenberg is one of Iowa’s most underrated small towns, and a hike through the forest will take you to this Eden you’ll likely have all to yourself.
Big Springs, Clayton County X56, Guttenberg, IA 52052, USA
A walk through Mason City will take you to this rare urban waterfall, located in the backyard of a renowned art museum.
Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, 303 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, USA
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