If you take the spotlight off of Iowa’s well-known attractions, you will find so many amazing, hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. From fossil gorges to scenic byways, to waterfalls and more, here are 14 of the most glorious hidden places in Iowa.

1. Devonian Fossil Gorge, Iowa City
Devonian Fossil Gorge, 2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Emily Peterson/Google Local
The Devonian Fossil Gorge in Iowa City was created by the Flood of 1993 and expanded by the Flood of 2008 when water topped the emergency spillway. The overflow washed away tons of soil, huge trees, and part of the road. When the waters receded, the 375-million-year-old fossilized Devonian ocean floor was revealed. Visitors can now start their stroll back in time at the Entry Plaza, making their way down into the gorge to find thousands of fossils laid out at their feet.
2. Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry
Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa 76, Harpers Ferry, IA, USA
Lance and Erin/Flickr
Effigy Mounds National Monument is a collection of around 200 Native American-built mounds, and even effigys, which are shaped as different animals. No one is really sure what the mounds represent, but Native American legends and mythology have lead researchers to believe that the mounds were built as ceremonial and sacred sites, or as a way to mark choice hunting ground.
3. Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Council Bluffs
Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Mineola, IA, USA
S C Hargis/Flickr
The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a gorgeous, 63-mile trail that runs through Council Bluffs, Mineola, Silver City, Malvern, Imogene, Shenandoah, Coin and Blanchard. Trail-goers will get the chance to walk the trail through the Loess Hills, and enjoy some of the finest scenery in all of Iowa.
4. Sabula
Sabula, IA 52070, USA
CJ Oliver/Flickr
Even if they've lived here all of their life, many people still don't know that Iowa has its own island. The island of Sabula, located in Jackson County, sits on the Mississippi River and is home to over 500 people. The island is also a popular summer vacation spot for people from Illinois.
5. Dunnings Spring Park Decorah
Dunning's Spring Park, Ice Cave Road, Decorah, IA, USA
Alice Heinrichs/Google Local
Located in Winneshiek County, Dunnings Spring Falls in Decorah is like something out of a fairy tale - so much so, that this spot is even a popular destination for weddings.
6. Arnold's Park, Dickinson County
Arnolds Park, IA, USA
Arnolds Park
Everyone knows about Adventureland, but many people don't know about Arnold's Park. Located in the city of Arnold's Park, in Northwest Iowa, this classic theme park offers thrill seekers a ride on one of the nation's oldest wooden roller coasters, The Legend, which was built way back in 1930.
7. Loess Hills Lavender Farm, Western Iowa
Loess Hills Lavender Farm, 2278 Loess Hills Trail, Missouri Valley, IA 51555, USA
Michael Vincent Miller/Flickr
This lovely lavender farm is located in the beautiful Loess Hills of western Iowa, and is a fun, unique place that not enough people know about. The farm is family owned, and they offer tours, hold events, and sell a variety of items in the gift shop. The experience is something you can't find anywhere else in Iowa!

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8. The American Gothic House, Eldon
American Gothic House Center, 300 American Gothic St, Eldon, IA 52554, USA
Joanna Poe/Flickr
This gothic revival house in Eldon was immortalized in Grant Wood's epic "American Gothic" painting in 1930. Visitors can come and take their own American Gothic photo in front of the house.
9. Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, 208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USA
Laura Bernhardt/Flickr
Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend is the largest man-made Grotto in the world, and contains the largest collection of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location. This religious shrine is often considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
10. Fenelon Place Elevator Car, Dubuque
Fenelon Place Elevator Company, 512 Fenelon Pl, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Jim Ellwanger/Flickr
The Fenelon Place Elevator Car in Dubuque claims to be the steepest and shortest railroad in the world. While this claim is up in the air, something that isn't disputed is the fact that you can get a pretty amazing view of the city when the train car reaches the top of the hill!
11. Grant Woods Scenic Byway
iowabyways/Flickr
There's nothing like taking a nice back roads drive across the Iowa countryside, and what better place to do that than one of Iowa's many beautiful and underrated scenic byways?
12. The Iowa Great Lakes
Dickinson County, IA, USA
Denise Heyer/Facebook
Forget the other Great Lakes, we have our own in Iowa and they're just as nice! Located in Dickinson County, these lakes are a beautiful and underrated vacation destination for Iowans and tourists alike. There are three principal lakes of the group: Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake.
13. The Villages of Van Buren
Villages of Van Buren, Inc, 809 1st St, Keosauqua, IA 52565, USA
David Wilson/Flickr
The Villages of Van Buren are highly underrated and a real hidden gem in Iowa. There are 12 tiny villages, including Bonaparte, Keosauqua, and Farmington. On your visit, make sure to have some fudge, check out the local shops, and stay in the Mason House Inn, a famously haunted location.
14. Siewers Spring, Decorah
Siewers Spring Road, Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Jan/Flickr
One of Iowa's real hidden gems, Siewers Spring in Decorah runs along Trout Run Trail from the fish hatchery, so it's no surprise that this is a great spot to do a little fishing while you take in the amazing scenery.

What’s the fun in secrets if you can’t share them, right?! Do you know of any more amazing hidden places in Iowa? Let us in on them! And if you have a hidden gem you’d like to see featured on Only In Iowa, nominate it and tell us what makes it such a unique spot!

For more hidden places in Iowa to add to your bucket list, check out this epic road trip, which travels to some of the coolest under-the-radar gems in the Hawkeye State.

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More to Explore

Hidden places in Iowa

Sarah | September 19, 2021

What are some of the coolest hidden places in Iowa?

The Hawkeye State is often underestimated in terms of "must-visit" attractions, but it really is quite an extraordinary place! Iowa is a state full of surprises, with what seems like a hidden gem around every corner. Even if you’ve lived here your entire life, there are still plenty of new things to be discovered every day – like the above list of hidden places, as well as these 10 enchanting spots in Iowa that you probably never knew existed. From swinging bridges to hidden caves, there's a whole world of hidden places to explore here in Iowa!

Are there many hidden waterfalls in Iowa?

Iowa is full of hidden gems and secret treasures; we have everything from towering cliffs to mysterious caves, sandy beaches to bright blue lakes -- and if you dig a bit deeper, you'll discover something else: lots of hidden waterfalls! Yes, the Hawkeye State is *not* all country hills and cornfields; there are some truly wondrous waterfalls hiding in Iowa! Some of our favorites include Union Grove Lake Waterfall, Beulah Spring Falls, Malanaphy Spring Falls, and Macbride Falls. How many of these hidden waterfalls in Iowa have you visited?

What are some fun day trips in Iowa?

In keeping with our "hidden places in Iowa" theme, here are 14 off-the-beaten-path places that make for amazing day trips. Some of our favorites on the list include The Grotto of Redemption in West Bend, a religious shrine that was built out of precious stone by a priest and considered to be the eighth wonder of the world; Figge Art Museym, an inexpensive day trip destination was designed by renowned British architect David Chipperfield; the Amana Colonies, a collection of German villages full of quirky stores and handmade wares; and the American Pickers shop in Le Claire, a neat little shop in the picture-perfect city of Le Claire, Iowa.

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