When it comes to beautiful fresh-air hikes in the Hawkeye State, adventurous Iowans should check out George Wyth State Park! Not only will you find miles and miles of trails here, but there’s a secret beach that provides plenty of fun in the sun and sand.

This pretty park was originally called the Josh Higgins Parkway, but in 1956, it was renamed George Wyth State Park in honor of a Cedar Falls conversationist.
Google Local / University of Northern Iowa GeoTree Center
Nature lovers will enjoy the 3.5 miles of on-site paved and stone trails, and 10 miles of grass trails. In the springtime, these may be restricted by flooding, but they connect to a 100 mile network of trails through the Waterloo area.
Google Local / University of Northern Iowa GeoTree Center
There are more than 200 species of bird that make this a gorgeous spot for spotting wildlife. In fact, there is such a diverse ecosystem here that it has been designated as a National Urban Wildlife Sanctuary!
Google Local / Landon Nardini

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If you're a camper, you'll love that there are dozens of modern campsites. Half of them are reservation only, while the others are walk-ups. The springtime flooding determines the availability of campsites at the park.
Google Local / Landon Nardini
The beautiful, shimmering lakes are the true gems of George Wyth State Park. There are more than 300 acres of water to explore!
Google Local / Tran Thanh Kha
George Wyth Lake is the only swimming beach in Black Hawk County! It's a no-wake lake, but there's no lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk!
Google Local / University of Northern Iowa GeoTree Center
This stunning Cedar River lake has taken a beating from floods in the past, but it's a beautiful place to swim and relax as soon as the weather warms up.
Google Local / University of Northern Iowa GeoTree Center

Plan an outing where you’ll enjoy beautiful fresh air and a secret beach right here in the Hawkeye State. You can find out more about George Wyth State Park on the Iowa DNR website, here.

For more great warm weather hikes in Iowa, read 11 Brief But Beautiful Hikes In Iowa You Can Take In Under An Hour.

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