The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Iowa, United States

May 4, 2022 Major Galusha

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. High Trestle Trail

2335 Qf Ln West on Hwy 210, S on QF Lane; parking lot is 3/4 mi from trestle bridge, Madrid, IA 50156-7468 http://www.inhf.org/high-trestle-trail-intro.cfm
Excellent
81%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 214 reviews

High Trestle Trail

Reviewed By JMJR2K - Independence, United States

The High Trestle Trail is just an amazing biking and walking trail just outside of Des Moines. It’s a flat, all paved concrete and asphalt, and about 26+ miles overall. My recording will show more time and mileage because I made several stops along the way and rode the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail for a bit as well. This is my 3rd ride on this trail and I never get tired of it. There are rest stops along the way with water and restrooms, tire pumps and bike repair stations, and several small towns with restaurants and breweries like Slater and Madrid. Of course the Trestle bridge is the highlight and be sure to ride it during the day, and enjoy the blue LED lights at night. It was a great day for riding and depending upon which way the wind is blowing you’re sure to have a headwind or tailwind in the open stretches but just take your time and enjoy the ride!

2. Wabash Trace Nature Trail

Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Wabash Trace Nature Trail

3. Maquoketa Caves State Park

9688 Caves Rd, IA 52060 +1 563-652-5833 http://www.iowadnr.gov/Destinations/StateParksRecAreas/IowasStateParks/ParkDetails.aspx?ParkID=610127
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 209 reviews

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Starting April 1st 2021 parking will be limited to designated spots only, once they are full you must wait for a open parking spot to access the park, Please plan your trip to come earlier or later in the day and avoid peak times on the weekends from 11-4 pm. If arriving during peak times, you should have an alternate place to visit until the park is less busy. 2021 Campground Changes: The campground is 100% reservable. Same day reservations will be accepted from April 1 - October 31 and until 9 pm on the day of arrival. A reservation is required to camp.

Reviewed By joaniemaria - Eldridge, United States

We arrived to view the fall leaves. Trails were open. Caves were closed. The trails are well groomed and lovely. The woods and hills wind around the state park and caves. We especially enjoyed the natural bridge. It is a lovely photo op. Restrooms were closed for the season, as were the boardwalks due to storm damage and fallen trees. We enjoyed our fall visit nevertheless. I recommend a visit.

4. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

909 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-2897 +1 515-323-6290 http://www.dmbotanicalgarden.com/
Excellent
51%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 358 reviews

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Reputed for its huge collection of the Midwest's ornamental and native plants, this 14-acre center bordering the Des Moines River features a domed conservatory that houses over 1000 varieties of exotic plants from throughout the world. The center also has an impressive herb garden, tropical and desert plants, and one of the best bonsai collections in the U.S.

Reviewed By 799earlk

My family visits about once a year, almost always during the winter. On a cold winter day, this is an oasis! Great venue for meetings as well.

5. West Lake Park

14910 110th Ave, Davenport, IA 52804-9020 +1 563-328-3281 http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks
Excellent
74%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

West Lake Park

6. Reiman Gardens

1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011-3101 +1 515-294-2710 [email protected] http://www.reimangardens.com
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 352 reviews

Reiman Gardens

Enchanting, 17-acre garden with new display annually; inside find a live, exotic butterfly exhibit and gardens that change seasonally; private rentals available.

Reviewed By GG123traveler

Spent a couple hours here on a cloudy morning enjoying the beautiful flowers and sounds of water falls. It was great to enjoy the butterflies also.

7. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

350 E 3rd St Port of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA 52001-2302 +1 563-557-9545 [email protected] http://www.rivermuseum.com
Excellent
66%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,571 reviews

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Part aquarium, part museum, part science center, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium inspires stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive! Our 14-acre campus on the banks of the Mississippi River features two separate two-story buildings and an expansive outdoor plaza. The Museum & Aquarium is home to over 100 species of animals and thousands of historic artifacts. With so much to see and do, there's always a chance to #ExploreSomethingNew

Reviewed By gschalk

Set aside 2-4 hours for your visit to National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. There are two buildings, two ships, and several outdoor exhibits. Children will find plenty to enjoy. The "critters"--everything from an octopus, rays, otters, and plenty of fish--will keep the children interested. Also not to be missed is the Riverworks Splash Zone in the East Building. The exhibit in the "changing exhibit gallery" in the West Building is a Robot Zoo. You'll find a 5-foot housefly, a 6-foot grasshopper, and an amazing duck-billed platypus. The museum/aquarium is a fun learning experience for adults and children.

8. Devonian Fossil Gorge

Iowa City, IA +1 319-338-3543
Excellent
52%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 147 reviews

Devonian Fossil Gorge

Reviewed By janetdK794GW - Burlington, United States

If you love fossils and like to examine them close-up, do not miss this place! It's actually an outlet for the dam built across the Iowa River upstream from Iowa City. No one knew there were Devonian bedrock fossils here until two floods (one in 1993, the second in 2008) revealed them by washing away 17 feet of soil. The tours are self-guided. Visitors can step across the bedrock and examine fossils of brachiopods, crinoids, and several types of coral common to the inland sea that once covered this region. No two natural displays are alike because the majority of these fossils are still embedded in the limestone their shells created. The Devonian period of Earth history occurred 375 million years ago, predating the dinosaurs. If you enjoy geology or how the Earth evolved, don't miss this fascinating walk among ancient fossils. It is difficult for those on crutches and nearly impossible for visitors in wheelchairs to visit the actual fossil beds, but beyond the parking lot there is a display available for those who prefer not to attempt the stairs and the uneven footing of the lake outlet. The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center near the east end of the dam provides more information regarding the fossils and how they were discovered. The staff here is friendly, and can answer most questions. Brochures are also available here.

9. Mines of Spain Recreation Area

8991 Bellevue Hts, Dubuque, IA 52003-9214 +1 563-556-0620 http://www.minesofspain.org/
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 234 reviews

Mines of Spain Recreation Area

Reviewed By Robert_Felderman - Green Bay, United States

Mississippi River view from the graveside castle overlooking the bluffs about Catfish Creek railroad bridge.

10. Indian Creek Nature Center

5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 +1 319-362-0664 [email protected] http://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

Indian Creek Nature Center

Reviewed By 573dk9999 - Iowa City, United States

A very environmentally conscious experience, from the solar arrays to the butterfly gardens, beehives, forest walks, and greenhouses, is the place to take kids and adults to understand their place in the world. Right now is a good time to see the power of the derecho storm from last August. The number of trees blown down by the creekside is astonishing. In another month the remaining trees will leaf out and cover the damage. A place worth visiting again and again.

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