Take In The Beauty Of Iowa Year-Round With These 12 Scenic Drives
By Raymond Goldfield|Published December 20, 2022
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
The Hawkeye State has some amazing hidden destinations, beautiful backroads, and natural wonders that make for amazing scenic drives. There are too many to do in one weekend – so why not spread them out over an entire year? These twelve scenic drives in Iowa aren’t just great views out the window – they’ll show you some of Iowa’s best historical sites and cultural destinations. While all of them can be enjoyed any time of the year, some beg to be explored at that perfect time of year to see them at their absolute best.
January - Glacial Trail
Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, 500th Street, Peterson, IA, USA
This 36-mile trail through one of the most fascinating geological regions of the state is especially stunning in winter, when the snow-capped hills call back to the ancient past.
February - River Bluffs Scenic Byway
River Bluffs Drive, River Bluffs Dr, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, USA
A 109-mile trip through some of Iowa's best small towns like McGregor and Guttenberg, this is one of the most romantic drives in the state - perfect for Valentine's Day.
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March - Loess Hills Scenic Byway
Loess Hills Scenic Overlook, Oak Ave, Moorhead, IA 51558, USA
As the landscape comes alive again in the early spring, there is no better time to visit the geological marvel of the Loess Hills - a hilly destination in the middle of the prairie.
This is the route traveled to Utah by roughly 70,000 Mormons between 18446 and 1869, and following its Iowa leg makes a perfect spring adventure - complete with stops at unique museums along the way.
Another ideal spring adventure is following this 75-mile path that inspired the famous paintings of Iowa's most acclaimed artist. You'll feel like some of the vistas came right off the canvas.
June - Driftless Area Scenic Byway
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge, Elkader, IA 52043, USA
A 144-mile stretch in northeastern Iowa, this is the only area of Iowa that wasn't affected by glacial drift - and its unique landscape makes it a great place for outdoor recreation.
The Great River Road travels along the Mississippi River, and the scenic views are truly stunning. That makes it the perfect drive for the height of the summer.
Iowa has a rich Czech heritage, and this trail through Tama County is ideal for August - because when you stop in tiny Clutier for the Bohemian Plum Festival, you'll enjoy the best music and food around.
This drive takes you through many small towns - but none more distinct than the Amana Colonies. Taking it during this month means you might get to experience Amana's famous Oktoberfest.
Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take some time to explore Iowa's backroads. The historic white poles along this 26-mile ride are among the state's most distinctive sights.
December - Covered Bridges Scenic Byway
Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, 73 W Jefferson St, Winterset, IA 50273, USA
The best place for an old-fashioned Christmas in Iowa is Winterset, and this tour of the famous covered bridges of Madison County is even better when they're covered in snow.
Which of these scenic drives in Iowa are you most excited to take? Tell us about your travel plans for the new year in the comments section. While most of these locations can be visited any time of year, make sure to keep up on the Facebook page of the Bohemian Plum Festival. For another fun adventure in Iowa, don’t miss this epic festival slide.
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