This Easy, 1.5 Mile Trail Leads To MacBride Falls, One Of Iowa's Most Underrated Waterfalls
Kim Magaraci
Author
One of the most underrated waterfalls in Iowa can be found at Lake MacBride State Park, where the lake flows across a rocky natural spillway along a series of short and shallow cascades. It’s one of the most scenic places in the Hawkeye State! Bring your whole family out to enjoy a hike through the park and a picnic on the rocks and you’ll be so happy you discovered this quiet natural oasis. Looking for the perfect weekend waterfall adventure? No worries, the MacBride Waterfall Loop will scratch that itch for you time and time again!
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As it turns out, Iowa is a wonderful state for anyone that loves the great outdoors. This easy and shady trail is just one great place to hike in Iowa during the summertime (okay, or anytime), and by the time you get to the falls, you’ll be ready to get your feet wet!
While you’re here, be sure to check out the many other sights that the state park has to offer. Grab the AllTrails+ map app to help stay on the trail!
Of course, Lake MacBride State Park isn’t the only gorgeous spot to explore here! To experience even more of the most beautiful places in Iowa, check out some unique Iowa getaways that will always be waiting for you.
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Waterfalls in Iowa
What are some of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa?
Here are some of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa:
- For a short and sweet trail, try the 0.9-mile hike on the Bridal Veil Trail within Pikes Peak State Park. It’s short – obviously under one mile long – and it leads to an incredible bluff overlook and, of course, Iowa’s famed Bridal Veil Falls.
- In Decorah, Iowa, you’ll find a hike that’s a little longer, at 1.8 miles long, that leads to Malanaphy Falls. It’s called, appropriately, Malanaphy Falls Trail, and it leads to the upper portion of the cascade.
What are the most amazing hiking trails with waterfalls in Iowa?
Other than the two trails outlined above, there are a few more excellent hiking trails with waterfalls in Iowa you can’t bear to miss, like the Clive Greenbelt Trail, which goes from University Park to Campbell and is 7.3 miles long. It’s a paved, shaded, and easy stroll full of twists and turns, and it includes a stunning creek and various seasonal falls. They might be small, but they’re beautiful!
Another excellent hiking trail with a waterfall in Iowa is the Weeping Rock and Hickory Ridge Loop Trail, at Pikes Peak State Park. It’s 3.9 miles long and leads not only to a waterfall but also to some of the best views in Iowa!
How many waterfalls in Iowa are there?
Iowa might be kind of a flat place, but that doesn’t mean there are no waterfalls around here! There are at least a dozen, perhaps more, waterfalls in Iowa worth visiting. Some of our favorite waterfalls in Iowa include stunning beauties like Bridal Veil Falls at Pikes Peak State Park. You’ll also be positively enchanted by waterfalls in Iowa like the Ledges State Park waterfall, in Boone, and MacBride Falls in Solon.