Celebrating The Hawkeye State One Park, Forest, and Memorial at a Time

By Sarah Wells
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Date Published: October 30, 2024

National Public Lands Day was just a few weeks ago, and at R&V we’ve found so many interesting opportunities to get out and explore the natural spaces and places that make this land spectacular.

This land truly is your land, so let’s celebrate these public lands together!

If you aren’t from Iowa, you might imagine the landscape filled exclusively with corn and soybeans… and you wouldn’t be far off. Nearly 85% of Iowa’s land is dedicated to agriculture. But not every corner. Iowa offers far more than fields of grain. You might be surprised by the many beautiful public lands to discover here, from the rolling plains and prairies to scenic rivers and forests.

Iowa’s National Parks, Forests, Reserves, and Memorials

All national parks that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on September 28, 2024 in celebration of National Public Lands Day, so if you don’t already have a Parks Pass, this is a prime opportunity to explore!

Check out these national parks, reserves, and memorials throughout Iowa:

Effigy Mounds National Monument: Located in the northeastern part of the state, this monument preserves prehistoric Native American burial mounds and offers scenic hiking trails with views of the Mississippi River. For National Public Lands Day, Effigy Mounds will hold a Peregrine Falcon Celebration.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site: In West Branch, this site honors the life of the 31st U.S. president and includes his birthplace cottage, a museum, and beautiful grounds to explore.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge: Located near Prairie City, this 6,000-acre refuge works to restore Iowa’s native tallgrass prairie and oak savanna ecosystems.
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Western Iowa’s flat plains are interrupted by a unique geological formation known as Loess Hills. Check out this area’s driving routes and hiking trails through steep, rolling hills formed from windblown silt (loess) that accumulated during the Ice Age. The region is characterized by narrow ridges, deep valleys, and tall bluffs, with lush grasslands and forests, utterly unlike the surrounding agricultural landscape.

Iowa State and County Parks

Interspersed between and around national parks are the hidden gems of state and county parks. The parks system in our country isn’t like a sports league, where the national parks are somehow superior to local or state parks. The distinction indicates which government officials are responsible for managing that park. So don’t discount local and state parks as inferior to national parks—all of these parks are fantastic places to experience the unique wonders of God’s creation.

As of 2024, Iowa has more than 50,000 acres of land and water, spread out over 83 different parks. Here are five you won’t want to miss:

Ledges State Park: Located near Boone in central Iowa, this 1,200-acre park features sandstone cliffs, scenic canyon drives, and numerous hiking trails that make Ledges a popular destination for area nature lovers.
Maquoketa Caves State Park: Famous for its extensive network of caves and caverns, hiking trails, and stunning limestone formations, this park offers a unique underground experience in eastern Iowa.
Backbone State Park: Iowa’s oldest state park, located near Dundee, is known for its rugged dolomite limestone cliffs and the “Backbone” ridge trail with spectacular views. The park covers 2,000 acres and offers lots of recreational opportunities including camping, boating, fishing, rock climbing, and hiking.
Lake Macbride State Park: Located near Solon, this park is a favorite for water-based recreation. The lake itself spans over 800 acres and offers kayaking, fishing, and scenic lakeside trails. The park is also a great spot for birdwatching, hiking, picnicking, and camping.
Pikes Peak State Park: If you want to catch a glimpse of the majestic Mississippi River, Pikes Peak State Park is your answer. Situated near McGregor, this park is famous for its breathtaking panoramic river views and hiking trails through woodlands and bluffs.

But don’t overlook the local and county parks! Altogether, Iowa is home to about 313 county parks across the state, which means no matter where you live, there’s a serene space to which you can retreat.

There are certainly too many to list and plenty more to explore beyond what is doable in one day, but here are several parks throughout Iowa you might consider for your next day trip:

In Northeast Iowa, visit Fayette County Conservation Board’s Volga River Recreation Area. Located near Fayette, this park features scenic river views, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities. It’s also a great spot for camping.
Sioux Center’s Landmark Park, located in Sioux County in Northwest Iowa, offers walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas for a quick and relaxing retreat.
Brown’s Woods in Polk County near West Des Moines is a forested park with trails for hiking and nature observation. It’s a serene spot in Central Iowa for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing.
Pottawattamie County’s Hitchcock Nature Center located near Honey Creek in Southwest Iowa, features hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and educational programs focused on natural history and ecology.

Big Hollow Recreation Area in Southeast Iowa near Donnellson offers a large lake for fishing, swimming, and boating, as well as camping facilities and hiking trails.
Devonian Fossil Gorge is a fascinating natural site located in Coralville, Iowa, near the Iowa River. Flooding in the area exposed rock layers from the Devonian period, approximately 375 million years ago, when Iowa was covered by a shallow sea, making it an important paleontological site. Visitors can see a variety of marine fossils embedded in the rock, including brachiopods, corals, and other invertebrates that lived in the Devonian sea.

Iowa Municipal and Metro Parks

Image: Bill Benson

If you aren’t up for a wilderness adventure and want to stay within city limits, Iowa has several beautiful municipal and metro parks that are perfect for day hikes, biking, picnics, and other recreational releases.

Gray’s Lake Park (Des Moines): Gray’s Lake Park is a popular urban oasis with a 2-mile walking trail around the lake, offering scenic views of downtown Des Moines.
Riverview Park (Marshalltown): Located along the Iowa River, this park is great for walking, playgrounds, and community events.
City Park (Iowa City): A lovely park with playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas, perfect for families to relax and play.