There’s no doubt about it, there is no shortage of places in Iowa that have beautiful scenery during the fall. But this hike in particular will totally blow you away with its picturesque scenic vistas, amazing fall foliage, waterfalls and wildlife. For a truly unforgettable hike, make sure to take a trip to Pikes Peak State Park.
Located in McGregor, Iowa, Pikes Peak State Park is nearly a thousand acres in size and offers some of the most beautiful scenery available in the state.
This trail is 4.1 miles out and back, and on it, you’ll see all kinds of lush and rugged natural beauty, like wooded bluffs and valleys, fossil remains and Bridal Veil Falls.
The landscape in Pikes Peak is unique to that of Iowa, as it is located in the “Paleozoic Plateau” that wasn’t flattened and molded by glaciers as was the rest of the state.
Because of this unique history, you’ll experience a diverse array of terrain, from vistas overlooked by one of the highest bluffs in the state to to spring-fed streams to large wooded areas.
Pikes Peak State Park is part of a larger complex of parks, including the Effigy Mounds National Monument, the Yellow River State Forest, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge.
