Iowa has no shortage of scenic views. However some of them aren’t for the lighthearted. Here are 10 views in Iowa that make for a humbling experience.
- Lake Red Rock
Flickr.com/ Tushar Dayal This viewpoint is from the Cordova Observation Tower at Lake Red Rock in southeastern Iowa. Its 106-foot-high vantage point gives a breathtaking view.
- Des Moines Capitol Building
Flickr.com/ Eamon O Sullivan Looking up to or down from the the dome with take your breath away.
- Effigy Mounds
Flickr.com/ Timothy Brown Effigy Mounds preserves the prehistoric mounds left behind by Native Americans. They are shaped into various animals, and if they weren’t enough to get you to visit, then I’m sure the stunning viewpoints will make a trip seem worth it.
- Des Moines Marriott
Flickr.com/ Cedric The Marriott Hotel at Des Moines is the third tallest building in Iowa. It stacks in at 375 feet high, and provides guests with gorgeous views of the metropolitan area.
- Hawkeye Point
Flickr.com/ Brett Whaley Believe it or not, this park in Osceola County is actually the highest natural point in all of Iowa. At 1,670 feet above sea level, visitors can marvel at the vast landscape before them. The natural flatness of Iowa’s terrain can make anybody seem small.
- The 801 Grand
Flickr.com/ Alan Light This vantage point can be shared by anyone who visits the top floors of the 801 Grand in Des Moines. Previously the Principal Building, the 801 Grand is the largest building in all of Iowa. It measures in at 670 feet high, and makes for some stellar office views.
- Pikes Peak State Park
Flickr.com/ U.S. Department of Agriculture This part of the Driftless Area provides visitors with the most scenic views of the Mississippi River that Iowa has to offer. Clear up in the most northeastern pocket of Iowa lies Pikes Peak State Park, and seeing the river flows like this will leave you speechless.
- Hot Air Ballooning
Flickr.com/ Jason Mrachina For the past 40 years, Indianola has hosted the National Balloon Classic. This year it takes place from July 39 to August 9, and admission is $5 for adults and children are allowed in for free.
- Storm Clouds
Flickr.com/ Rich Anyone who has lived in Iowa for long has seen these massive formations of clouds. Typically, crashes of thunder will shake the ground not long after spotting this sight.
- State Fair Ferris Wheel
Flickr.com/ David Cassel The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is a historical event, and this shot captured from the ascending ferris wheel is a truly unique view.
These vantage points are begging for all Iowans to see them. There is no reason any Iowa native shouldn’t add these views to their bucket list.
Flickr.com/ Tushar Dayal
This viewpoint is from the Cordova Observation Tower at Lake Red Rock in southeastern Iowa. Its 106-foot-high vantage point gives a breathtaking view.
Flickr.com/ Eamon O Sullivan
Looking up to or down from the the dome with take your breath away.
Flickr.com/ Timothy Brown
Effigy Mounds preserves the prehistoric mounds left behind by Native Americans. They are shaped into various animals, and if they weren’t enough to get you to visit, then I’m sure the stunning viewpoints will make a trip seem worth it.
Flickr.com/ Cedric
The Marriott Hotel at Des Moines is the third tallest building in Iowa. It stacks in at 375 feet high, and provides guests with gorgeous views of the metropolitan area.
Flickr.com/ Brett Whaley
Believe it or not, this park in Osceola County is actually the highest natural point in all of Iowa. At 1,670 feet above sea level, visitors can marvel at the vast landscape before them. The natural flatness of Iowa’s terrain can make anybody seem small.
Flickr.com/ Alan Light
This vantage point can be shared by anyone who visits the top floors of the 801 Grand in Des Moines. Previously the Principal Building, the 801 Grand is the largest building in all of Iowa. It measures in at 670 feet high, and makes for some stellar office views.
Flickr.com/ U.S. Department of Agriculture
This part of the Driftless Area provides visitors with the most scenic views of the Mississippi River that Iowa has to offer. Clear up in the most northeastern pocket of Iowa lies Pikes Peak State Park, and seeing the river flows like this will leave you speechless.
Flickr.com/ Jason Mrachina
For the past 40 years, Indianola has hosted the National Balloon Classic. This year it takes place from July 39 to August 9, and admission is $5 for adults and children are allowed in for free.
Flickr.com/ Rich
Anyone who has lived in Iowa for long has seen these massive formations of clouds. Typically, crashes of thunder will shake the ground not long after spotting this sight.
Flickr.com/ David Cassel
The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is a historical event, and this shot captured from the ascending ferris wheel is a truly unique view.
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