Iowa has many natural attractions. Parks, scenic byways, rivers, lakes, and nature preserves offer the chance to relax in a beautiful outdoor setting. Here are 10 of Iowa’s incredible natural attractions that you’ll definitely want to visit this summer. These Iowa-only places will blow your mind.
- You’ll find Discovery Park on the west side of Muscatine at 3300 Cedar St., by the corner of Highway 61 and Cedar Street.
Muscatine Convention and Visitors Bureau This a urban oasis is an 85-acre park with two picnic shelters, 1.5 miles of trails, 2 miles of rougher trails, a historical cemetery and two fully-stocked ponds for fishing. You can learn more about Discovery Park, here.
- Nature Trails at Mines of Spain, 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd, Dubuque
AZ Design2010/flickr Mines of Spain has five nature trails and some of the best hiking in the state, for a total of 12 miles.. Enjoy scenic overlooks, forests, wildlife, and water views. You can read more about the five amazing Iowa hikes you won’t want to miss, here.
- Guttenberg’s two-mile long riverwalk at Ingelwood Park.
Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce/Facebook See the beautiful river town of Guttenberg from this amazing city park. The park follows the length of the town. Shade trees, picnic benches, and grilling areas make this a great place to spend the day. You can learn all about it, here.
- Volga River Recreational Area, 10225 Ivy Rd., Fayette
Darren Abbey/Flickr It’s one of the biggest recreational areas in Iowa, with a 138-acre lake stocked with many types of fish. The shoreline sidewalk, floating fishing pier, and three-lane boat ramp make this a great place to visit. Visitors hike, canoe, and kayak, here. Learn about the many natural wonders along Iowa’s River Bluffs Scenic Byway, here.
- Lake Anita is located at 55111 750th Street, Anita.
Lake Anita State Park/Facebook This Iowa lake represents Iowa perfectly. It’s in southwest Iowa, an hour west of Des Moines on Interstate 80. Learn more about Lake Anita, here.
- Jester Park Equestrian Center, 11171 NW 103rd Ct., Granger
Jester Park Equestrian Center/Facebook Jester Park Equestrian Center is by Saylorville Lake. Visitors love the trails for horseback riding. You’ll find more ideas for things to do in Iowa when you just have to get out of town for the day, here.
- Chimney Rock Campground, 3312 Chimney Rock Rd., Cresco
Chimney Rocks Website This is in extreme Northeast Iowa and National Geographic’s Adventure Magazine recently recognized this area of Iowa. Chimney Rocks is a private farm and it’s open all summer with tubes available for your float. You’ll find the locations of other Iowa rivers that are perfect for a day of floating, here.
- Brown’s Woods is a beautiful nature preserve in West Des Moines. Its address is simply, “Brown’s Woods Dr.”, West Des Moines. It’s right off of SE 1st St. and Veterans Pkwy.
Beth Faber/All Trails This natural attraction is a 486-acre forest of hickory and oak trees. You can explore the area on its trail system. There are four trails here for a total of 4.4 miles of hiking. Bring your canine friends along! Dogs are allowed on the trail on a leash. To learn more about this amazing park, click here.
- Big Creek State Park in Polk City, near Des Moines, covers 3,550 acres.
Big Creek Lake Watershed/Facebook During swimming season, visitors flock to this incredible Iowa beach. There’s food and rink available from vendors on the beach. Rent a variety of watercraft from Big Creek Marina. To learn more about Big Creek State Park, click here.
- Brushy Creek State Recreation Area is located at 2802 Brushy Creek Road, Lehigh.
Kev Shedd/All Trails This Iowa state park covers a lot of ground, and is well-equipped with 45 miles of trails, a sandy beach, and amount of land, and a large lake perfect for fishing. It offers great views of the Des Moines River. The trails here are great for all skill levels. Learn more about this amazing park, here.
Have you been to any of these Iowa natural attractions? Tell us about it in the comments.
Muscatine Convention and Visitors Bureau
This a urban oasis is an 85-acre park with two picnic shelters, 1.5 miles of trails, 2 miles of rougher trails, a historical cemetery and two fully-stocked ponds for fishing. You can learn more about Discovery Park, here.
AZ Design2010/flickr
Mines of Spain has five nature trails and some of the best hiking in the state, for a total of 12 miles.. Enjoy scenic overlooks, forests, wildlife, and water views. You can read more about the five amazing Iowa hikes you won’t want to miss, here.
Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
See the beautiful river town of Guttenberg from this amazing city park. The park follows the length of the town. Shade trees, picnic benches, and grilling areas make this a great place to spend the day. You can learn all about it, here.
Darren Abbey/Flickr
It’s one of the biggest recreational areas in Iowa, with a 138-acre lake stocked with many types of fish. The shoreline sidewalk, floating fishing pier, and three-lane boat ramp make this a great place to visit. Visitors hike, canoe, and kayak, here. Learn about the many natural wonders along Iowa’s River Bluffs Scenic Byway, here.
Lake Anita State Park/Facebook
This Iowa lake represents Iowa perfectly. It’s in southwest Iowa, an hour west of Des Moines on Interstate 80. Learn more about Lake Anita, here.
Jester Park Equestrian Center/Facebook
Jester Park Equestrian Center is by Saylorville Lake. Visitors love the trails for horseback riding. You’ll find more ideas for things to do in Iowa when you just have to get out of town for the day, here.
Chimney Rocks Website
This is in extreme Northeast Iowa and National Geographic’s Adventure Magazine recently recognized this area of Iowa. Chimney Rocks is a private farm and it’s open all summer with tubes available for your float. You’ll find the locations of other Iowa rivers that are perfect for a day of floating, here.
Beth Faber/All Trails
This natural attraction is a 486-acre forest of hickory and oak trees. You can explore the area on its trail system. There are four trails here for a total of 4.4 miles of hiking. Bring your canine friends along! Dogs are allowed on the trail on a leash. To learn more about this amazing park, click here.
Big Creek Lake Watershed/Facebook
During swimming season, visitors flock to this incredible Iowa beach. There’s food and rink available from vendors on the beach. Rent a variety of watercraft from Big Creek Marina. To learn more about Big Creek State Park, click here.
Kev Shedd/All Trails
This Iowa state park covers a lot of ground, and is well-equipped with 45 miles of trails, a sandy beach, and amount of land, and a large lake perfect for fishing. It offers great views of the Des Moines River. The trails here are great for all skill levels. Learn more about this amazing park, here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
