The 10 Best Hiking Trails in Iowa, United States

July 4, 2021 Sheron Bogner

History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here. If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.


Restaurants in Iowa

1. Trout Run Trail

Main Street, Decorah, IA +1 563-382-2023 http://www.troutruntrail.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 89 reviews

Trout Run Trail

Reviewed By jimanddelmyg - Milwaukee, United States

This trail was the reason that my wife and I came to Decorah. It is about 17 miles long and goes around the whole town. It varies from city to farmland to trout stream. We walked the trail and had a great time. There are a few changes in elevation, but all in all it is not a hard trail to walk

2. All Ability Cycles

101 N Chestnut St Southeast corner of the town square, Jefferson, IA 50129-2101 +1 515-386-8900 http://www.bikeiowa.com/Feature/1417/all-ability-cycles-part-of-the-community
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

All Ability Cycles

3. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

8700 NE 126th Ave, Maxwell, IA 50161-4310 +1 515-967-2596 http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/4-chichaqua-bottoms-greenbelt
Excellent
88%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

4. Cedar Valley Nature Trail

Waterloo, IA
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Cedar Valley Nature Trail

5. Clear Creek Trail

719 Camp Cardinal Blvd, Coralville, IA 52241-2893 +1 319-248-1750 http://www.coralville.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1330
Excellent
69%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Clear Creek Trail

6. Preparation Canyon State Park

206 Polk St Loess Hills State Forest, Pisgah, IA 51564-2063 +1 712-456-2924 http://www.iowadnr.gov/Destinations/StateParksRecAreas/IowasStateParks/ParkDetails.aspx?ParkID=610160
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Preparation Canyon State Park

Reviewed By OutdoorKidz - Omaha, United States

Great spot for some local hiking. There are a variety of types of trails (flat, hilly, valley, ridge) scattered throughout the region. Overall though, on a scale of 1 to 10, the strenuous level would be about a 3.5 in our estimation. We will return for another day of hiking Preparation Canyon.

7. Lake Wapello State Park

15248 Campground Rd, Drakesville, IA 52552-8559 +1 641-722-3371 http://www.iowadnr.gov/Destinations/StateParksRecAreas/IowasStateParks/ParkDetails.aspx?ParkID=610111
Excellent
57%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Lake Wapello State Park

8. Eagle Lake state park

2506 Lake Ave Follow Signs, Britt, IA 50423-8620 +1 641-923-2720
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Eagle Lake state park

9. Lake Darling State Park

111 Lake Darling Rd, Brighton, IA 52540-9661 +1 319-694-2323 http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks-Rec-Areas/Iowas-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610109
Excellent
50%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Lake Darling State Park

Reviewed By logerklop

Lake Darling is a beautiful park to walk on a paved path. It’s great if one uses a wheelchair. We love to go and sit near the water and watch the sunsets and the geese fly in. There are quite a few tables close to the water to eat at.

10. Cedar Valley Nature Trail

Boyston Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233 http://linncountytrails.org/maps/find-a-trail/cedar-valley-nature-trail/
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Cedar Valley Nature Trail

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