Reply. Private hiking enthusiasts like you have created excellent web pages on Iowa hiking trails -- then posted those pages on free web servers -- only to be ignored by search engines. Ledges State Park is in central Iowa, about 45 miles northwest of Des Moines. Iowa, located in the Midwest region of the U.S., is bordered by the Mississippi River on the east, and the Missouri River on the west. The dolomite/limestone ridges make for a very unique Iowa experience. The gorge is up to 100-feet deep in some places. People have been visiting Ledges State Park for over 4,000 years and early natives saw the beauty in the wind swept sandstone canyon. Palisades-Keplar State Park Campground via Kepler Drive. Maquoketa Caves State Park One of Iowa's most popular all-seasons hiking locations is the Maquoketa Caves State Park, which is home to fascinating geological structures including limestone formations, a 17-ton “balanced” rock, and a 60-foot natural bridge crossing Raccoon Creek, and the state's largest system of caves. Iowa City, IA. All of our hiking trails actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence.You deserve only the best! Size: 323 acres The Sauk Rail Trail offers some of the best riding in rural, west-central Iowa. They are designed for biking, running, and hiking. Bare, sculpture-like trees emerge from the water along the banks. Best Trails & Photos. Des Moines Waterworks Park Foundation. Friendly small towns every few miles add comfort and convenience, while frequent nods to the corridor’s railroad past add historical interest. All 50 miles of path are very well maintained for all uses. Sac and Fox National Recreation Trail. When most people think of wilderness and exploration they picture Yellowstone or Yosemite. Davenport Campgrounds. Check out our guide to the best trails in Greater Des Moines! Steep terrain and winding trails make this a great getaway close to home. Ewing Trails at Ewing City Park, Des Moines, Iowa. Anamosa, IA A stocked trout stream flows through the valley fed by Richmond Springs which is one of the only locations in Iowa where visitors to a public park can see the beginning of a native Iowa … Des Moines, IA. I ventured out that way in the spring of 2017, somewhat reluctantly to be honest. While Yellow River State Forest is not the only place to find backpacking campsites in Iowa, it is well regarded as the best. The curious formations can be accessed by walking or crawling. Maquoketa Caves State Park contains the largest number of caves of any state park in Iowa. Dubuque Campgrounds. Sugar Bottom Recreation Area. This serves as simply a pleasant reminder that Kent Park is indeed still open and is still one of the great highlights of hiking in eastern Iowa. Oxford, IA. EASY 3.9 mi. Size: 8,503 acres A creek winds through the valley and across the road where multiple picnic areas are set up. These are three great hiking trails to get you started. The campgrounds of Yellow River State Forest are well kept, nestled in amongst high hills and bluffs where the stars at night are bright and the whippoorwill’s song will put you to bed. For the best backpacking and trailside camping within the Yellow River State Forest, visitors are encouraged to check out the Paint Creek unit, which has an impressive 25 miles of marked trails to follow along. This group is all about hiking in central Iowa. Backbone State Park is the oldest state park in Iowa. Length: 50 Miles Backbone State Park. Iowa’s first — and widely considered best — state park has far more going on than any non-local would guess. It truly feels like you aren’t in Iowa while hiking through the hills of Backbone. Pikes Peak State Park is similarly named after the famous park in Colorado. Iowa’s landscape does not awe an audience from within cars. Location: Delaware county, IA Other ways to enjoy the trails include trout fishing, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. Beed’s Lake State Park is located in north central Iowa, just outside of Hampton.. In this “driftless area” glaciation has not smoothed out the land like much of Iowa. McIntosh Woods is one of Iowa's premier state parks and is home to one of the best campgrounds in the state of Iowa. Ledges State Park Backbone also has some amazing rock formations and caves that have been carved out of the limestone cliffs by water and erosion over time. Look inside to find: Find a tourism map, travel guide and the best things to do in Iowa. This park is the ideal place for a family excursion or the adventuresome hiker and fisherman. Trail use: Hiking Or for the more adventurous camper there are a handful of hike in campsites. Rock ledges adorned with plant life and cedars crisscross the hiking trails. Marion, IA. Length: 6 miles View all Clubs. Instead of driving hours upon hours to reach more “classic” hiking destinations in a far away state, plan a trip alone or with friends and family to explore one of these cool locations on our own home turf. There are 4 miles of hiking trails (steep at some places) that provide excellent views of the creek and gorge, and Canyon Drive is also good for finding some views. Iowa hiking is so underrated, some of these places while small, still rival the big hiking locations. The dolomite/limestone ridges make for a very unique Iowa experience. This park is a photographers dream with abundant flora and fauna and interesting landscape features. Location: Allamakee county, IA Fairfield, IA. Hikers will find many things to explore including a hidden pond on the south end of the park. Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park, Carlisle, Iowa, Center Trails at Greenwood City Park, Des Moines, Iowa, Ewing Trails at Ewing City Park, Des Moines, Iowa, Sycamore Trails by Polk County Conservation, Johnston, Iowa, Lake Ahquabi at Lake Ahquabi State Park, Indianola, Iowa, Whiterock Trails at Whiterock Conservency, Coon Rapids, Iowa (daily use fee: $5/day). Clear … Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park, Carlisle, Iowa. Iowa Hiking Trails. The scenery around Brushy Creek is impressive, with trails taking your from the creeks’ confluence with the Des Moines River, all the way up to the North head of the park where the creek flows into the beautiful clear water lake. I currently live in Ames and would like them to be within a two hour drive. Iowa City, IA. Des Moines, IA. Yep, we’re still talking about Iowa. Fortunately Dolliver was a very pleasant surprise, well worth the drive. Don't see your club listed? Brushy Creek is the largest equestrian park in Iowa and you could ride horseback or hike all day long without seeing the same patch of trail twice if you so desired. Search hiking trails in Iowa. You can also visit “Bridal Veil Falls,” a natural spring located on the trail system. It was a three part tour that included Pilot Knob and McIntosh Woods State Park.I’m just … Mostly due to the drive time versus hike length. It is located along the shores of Clear Lake, which is a popular lake for fishing and outdoor water sports. Burlington Campgrounds. Solon, IA. All Rights Reserved. Jefferson County Trails Council. In addition to hiking, check out the Des Moines River Water Trail that goes through the park as well as the Central State Park Bike Route (along county roads) connecting Ledges to Big Creek State Park and Springbrook State Park. With over 8,000 acres to roam there’s plenty of plants and wildlife to encounter along the way. Center Trails at Greenwood City Park, Des Moines, Iowa. Wapsipinicon State Park. Like a drive-through zoo, people are missing out on the true majesty of the outdoors. Considered one of the best hiking spots in central Iowa, Ledges State Park in Boone has 13 miles of hiking trails that lead up and down steep slopes to scenic overlooks. ©2019 The Iowa Sportsman. Now named Pea’s Creek Canyon, there are over 13 miles of trails to explore including scenic overlooks to the valley below. These sights combined make for one of the most geologically interesting hikes in Iowa. |, How Harsh Winter Weather Affects Wildlife – Podcast. The paved 33-mile trail is capped at either end by a state park and offers a diverse mix of views and experiences in between. Don’t forget to show us your trail adventures via Facebook or Twitter. Kent Park. Backbone State Park The best hike in Iowa is Wildcat Den State Park Campground Loop via Wildcat Den Road, a 3.9 mile loop in Wildcat Den State Park. We were talking with the Iowa Outdoor Unlimited group about places to hike and camp while backpacking at Yellow River State Forest. Palisades Kepler State Park. Des Moines, IA. Trail use: Hiking Capital Striders' Turkeys. Central Iowa Trail Association (CITA) West Des Moines, IA. Location: Webster County, IA State Park Road. Stone shelters, bridges and trail stairs constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps still remain. With 49 campsites and a modern restroom and shower building, you will find a campsite that is right for you. Cedar Falls Campgrounds. Hike it Baby - Des Moines, IA. Through the woods and around the hills are extensive multiuse trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. Find printable transportation maps for bicyclists, as well as an interactive Iowa bike map on the Iowa Department of Transportation's website. Hiking Trails (22) Parks & Forests (1,223) Cities (947) 1. Answer 1 of 4: I'm going hiking out west in a couple months and have new hiking boots I'm looking to break in. Trails to platforms and a 500 foot bluff provide spectacular views of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. No matter the weather, you can enjoy a day on one of central Iowa's many scenic trails – more than 800 miles worth! Posted by Cassie, June 24th, 2011. Length: 21 miles With this comprehensive guide, Elizabeth Corcoran Hill provides all the information you need to get the most out of hiking the hills and valleys of Iowa. marklongmainstream (Post author) June 25, 2017 at 2:31 pm I agree Mel, we may lack the big mountain ranges and the huge National Parks, but our trails are some of the best. Although short, the Reumpers Nature Trail runs under a beautiful canopy of trees along the former Chicago Northwestern Railroad in Radcliffe, a small town in central Iowa. The Ringgold Trailway connects the eastern edge of the small city of Mount Ayr with Poe Hollow County Park, a little less than 2 … Location: Boone county, IA F.W. Many of our state’s parks offer hiking trails for the beginner or the expert. Iowa is not known for its hiking appeals yet many do not even realize the abundance of beautiful trails in Iowa that offer just that. Coralville Reservoir. Pikes Peak State Park The park surrounds a gorge along Pea’s Creek. Instead deep canyons and limestone rock faces remain. Get the app Hiking Clubs in Iowa. Hiking Eastern Iowa Part 3: 2 Places to Take a Day Trip. Dolliver Memorial State Park is located in west central Iowa, just southeast of Fort Dodge. Some of the best times to be had are exploring the outdoors. There’s evidence of what was once a creek bed outlined in towering trunks. For hikers, arguably the best hike at Brushy - a reclaimed 6,000-acre natural area in the heart of Iowa - is through the preserve atop the bluffs looking down on Brushy Creek. 3. Our trails are located in city, county, and state parks in and around Des Moines and Central Iowa. This site is designed to provide quick, organized access to informative Iowa hiking websites. The Young Drift Plains are mostly flat and cover most of northern and central Iowa. Stone shelters, bridges and trail stairs constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps still remain. However, it seems the more famous the park, the more people observe from within climate controlled cars. 3 Best Hiking Trails in Des Moines, IA Expert recommended Top 3 Hiking Trails in Des Moines, Iowa. You may just be surprised to find that Iowa becomes unlike itself in ways that only exploration can discover. There’s excellent trout fishing, rock climbing and rappelling on sheer cliffs of dolomite limestone, boating, swimming, hiking, cave exploring, and camping. Reply. Kelly . Length: 25 miles Location: Jackson county, IA Be sure to check out the other posts in the our Hiking Easter Iowa series: Hiking Eastern Iowa Part 2: 3 Trails to Hit in Hot Weather. EASY 2.2 mi. Fossil remains of brachiopods, gastropods, and cephalopods can be seen along the Decorah limestone. A canoe access and artifact hunting opportunities abound in this little corner of the Des Moines River Greenbelt, not to mention world class fishing for catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye. In search of some decent hiking trails in central Iowa. Other interesting formations include the 17 ton “Balancing Rock” and above Raccoon Creek the “Natural Bridge” towering over 50 feet. While sharing our favorite places with the group, we thought it would be great idea to compile a list of the best places to hike and camp in Iowa to share with others. Location: Clayton county, IA Waterloo Campgrounds. Hiking Iowa features forty-one of the finest trails in the Hawkeye State-from easy day hikes to overnight adventures. Length: Size: 960 acres Best Hiking and Camping in Iowa. “ This trail can take you to all the best sights in Decorah, with cyclists, runners, and walkers all sharing the space in polite coexistence. It was 5 hours round trip, for an estimated 5 to 6 mile hike. Our trails are located in city, county, and state parks in and around Des Moines and Central Iowa. Even when conditions are wet, Brushy’s 12 mile all-weather trail loop around the lake is open for business. Although you will not find intimidating rock faces here, there are beautiful limestone formations untouched by glaciation. Solon, IA. Length: 13 miles All hold a chance to see things you’ve never witnessed before in your life. The “Dance Hall” cave includes walkways and lighting, while other caves will require you to bring a flashlight of your own. Trail use: Hiking and Mountain biking Mount Vernon, IA. “ Includes about 3 miles of challenging but scenic hills, and 8 miles of mostly level, but since the bigger hills are in one area they can be avoided and still cover most of the trail. Ledges is nestled along the banks of the beautiful Des Moines River and offers explorers a chance to see more than just the unique landscape. … There are tons of trails in central Iowa and we want to showcase those beautiful hiking moments. Friends of Hickory Hill Park. Here you have to make an effort to connect with the natural world. Iowa City, IA. Terry Trueblood Recreation Area. Grandview Park, Des Moines, Iowa Size: 6,000 Acres Explore the famous High Trestle Trail over the Des Moines River near Ankeny, or make a date of it and stop for a beer while walking or biking the Clive Greenbelt Trail. Travel Iowa is the official tourism website of the State of Iowa, the Hawkeye State. Squaw Creek Trail. Cedar Rapids, IA. The main attraction is in fact a man-made lake. Reply. Size: 1,200 acres EASY 2.4 … 2. Lake Macbride State Park. The park is a short little hike that I checked out during the fall of 2016 with my hiking buddy Jessie. Trail use: Hiking, Equestrian, Mountain Biking, and Cross country Skiing Anglers from all over the state come to enjoy the prospect of catching brown, rainbow and brook trout. Tom . Above the canyon there is a campground with both primitive and camper hookups. You just have to get out there and discover them. Wildcat Den State Park Campground Loop via Wildcat Den Road. Size: 2,001 acres Maybe it’s the size that frightens them or the unknown. Located near Dundee, Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park and boasts more than 20 miles of multi-use trails. Trail use: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross country Skiing The Driftless Area, in northeastern Iowa, is covered by rugged forested hills and cliffs. Attractions include state parks, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Decorah bald eagles, Pella Tulip Festival, Amana Colonies tours, the Mississippi River and Dubuque, Maquoketa Caves State Park, and the Loess Hills. The name Brushy Creek is somewhat deceiving. June 27, 2017 at 2:58 am I plan to visit these with my son this summer. Plan your route and find attractions along the way by visiting the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation's website. Trail use: Hiking, Horseback riding, Cross Country Skiing From novice to expert, there are places for everyone to enjoy and get out to see the true native Iowa landscape. Iowa by Trail, Statewide Iowa by Trail lets you explore 2,000+ miles of Iowa trails. Iowa has three distinct geographic areas: The Young Drift Plains, the Driftless Area, and the Dissected Till Plains. Yellow River State Park has been rated as one of the top 50 backpacking destinations in the United States. THE 10 BEST Iowa Camping of 2021 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor. For perhaps the most famous Iowa backpacking trail, the Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County boasts an impressive 8,000 acres of wilderness to explore. They are designed for biking, running, and hiking. Brushy Creek 3. Yellow River State Forest A stocked trout stream flows through the valley fed by Richmond Springs which is one of the only locations in Iowa where visitors to a public park can see the beginning of a native Iowa spring fed stream. Backbone State Park is the oldest state park in Iowa. Iowa City, IA. Rock ledges adorned with plant life and cedars crisscross the hiking trails.

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