Whether you want to immerse yourself in a weekend nature experience, or just enjoy an afternoon of beautiful scenery, Iowa offers unforgettable fall hiking in its state parks and forests. Here's 11 outstanding options for an autumn hike:
The 2-mile, out-and-back Cedar Cliff Trail winds its way through forests, crossing over CCC-era bridges, to a ridge-top shelter with gorgeous autumn views of the Cedar River. This is the perfect fall hike to experience nature in Iowa. Palisades-Kepler State Park is located on Hwy 30 between Cedar Rapids and Mt. Vernon in eastern Iowa.
Yellow River State Forest
For backpackers looking for a backcountry experience, head straight to northeast Iowa’s Yellow River State Forest. At Yellow River, you can enjoy long hikes with varying elevation, and even camp primitively. With about 32 miles of trail, it’s easy to feel like you’ve escaped it all in this gorgeous setting.
Loess Hills State Forest
The Loess Hills – a landscape rare in the world – afford vistas not often seen in the United States. Add in the native prairie that abounds in the area and you have a great place to wander while taking in sweeping vistas and discovering precious rare plants. Loess Hills State Forest covers 11,000 acres and has more than 60 miles of trails, including the iconic Overlook. Plan your visit at the Loess Hills State Forest Visitors Center in Pisgah.
Waubonsie State Park
Continue exploring the Loess Hills in the far southwest corner of Iowa to take in majestic views of prairie and mature woodlands. Hike the Sunset Ridge Nature Trail that traverses the ridgetop, offering sweeping views of the Missouri River Valley and the plains of Nebraska. Eight miles of trails are accessible only to hikers. Another eight miles of multi-use trails wind through the northern regions of Waubonsie and are perfect for anyone in search of challenging hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding or snowmobiling opportunities.
Ledges State Park
Steeped in natural history, Ledges is known for its picturesque canyon that leads to the Des Moines River. Climb the trails in the canyon area to get a bird’s-eye view of picnickers and kids splashing in the creek below. Or wander the accessible Lost Lake Trail to find a serene woodland views. Finish off the day by heading to a secluded hike-in only campsite.
Wildcat Den State Park
The trails are all about scenery at Wildcat Den, just a mile upstream of the Mississippi River. Explore almost 4 miles of trails, including a short hike with views of rock outcroppings on your way to the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Check out the restored grist mill near the historic Pine Creek bridge. Camp at the park, or head over to the Fairport State Recreation Area, just two miles away, to camp along the mighty Mississippi.
Located near Strawberry Point, Iowa's oldest state park also features one of its most iconic hikes. The Backbone Trail is perched atop limestone formations that resemble backbones, which is where the park got its name. A trail of moderate difficulty for persons with good mobility, it’s a blast for scrambling. The trail is “out and back” from the main road to scenic points overlooking Backbone Lake and the Maquoketa River. The state forest trails adjacent to the park on the north are equestrian favorites.
During peak fall colors, Pikes Peak State Park is an Iowa travel destination, offering spectacular views of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers converging. Trail types at Pikes Peak run the gamut from natural surface, which wander through old growth woodland, to board-walked and stair-stepped surfaces that take hikers to sensitive natural rock and water features such as Bridal Veil Falls. There’s also paved surface and scenic overlooks, including a platform with wheelchair access.
Nestled alongside the Iowa River, Pine Lake State Park offers something for everyone. A 2.5-mile paved trail connects the lake to the nearby town of Eldora. The park has several miles of hiking trails ranging from flat and easy to rough and steep, meandering through diverse habitats including woodlands and remnants of native prairie. Pine Lake is a great hiking park for the leisurely day user. If you’d like to stay over, the cabins are among the best in the state.
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
Second only to Loess Hills State Forest for total trail miles on DNR-managed land, Brushy Creek SRA showcases 40+ miles of trails. For hikers, arguably the best hike is through the preserve atop the bluffs looking down on Brushy Creek. Brushy’s 12-mile, all-weather trail loop around the lake features a trail bridge over the spillway, which provides safe access over sometimes very fast moving water. Trails in the southern-most portion of the park follow the Des Moines River.
This small-but-mighty state park features a 5-mile trail system that meanders through an area rich in history and natural resources. The unique Copperas Trail showcases sandstone formations towering 100 feet above Prairie Creek. Beyond this point, the Copperas Trail gains elevation into oak-covered hillsides and then slopes down past Bone Yard Hollow and wooded hillsides. Views along the Des Moines River add to the richness of the park.