15 Incredible Natural Wonders In Iowa That Defy Explanation
By Raymond Goldfield|Published January 01, 2024
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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.
When we drive through the Hawkeye State, it’s easy to think that it’s pretty flat. After all, most of us have memories of long road trips with massive stretches of gorgeous Iowa farmland. And that midwest prairie is a wonder in and of itself – Iowa is one of the cores of American agriculture – but it’s far from the only wonder you’ll see in Iowa. There are some stunning natural wonders in Iowa hiding off the beaten path for Iowans to discover, including some of the most gorgeous cave systems in the United States and some incredible overlooks hiding in major cities. But looking closer, much of Iowa itself is a natural wonder. Large portions of the state were shaped by geological processes eons ago, and have resulted in some amazing topography. We put together this list of the fifteen best natural wonders in Iowa to help you plan your next expedition across the Hawkeye State.
It’s easy to assume that Iowa is flat because it’s a midwestern prairie state, but the Hawkeye State has some fascinating terrain. These canyons make amazing spots for sightseeing and rafting and make for an amazing off-the-beaten-path day trip.
1. Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Wow Factor: Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Iowa, this state park is home to the highest bluff on the Mississippi River.
Cost: Free
With a 500-foot bluff at an elevation of over 1,100 feet, Pikes Peak State Park covers close to a thousand acres and was formed through a process that began over 500 million years ago. Many of the hikes in the area are at a high elevation, which means visitors may be exploring foggy terrain well above Iowa.
Wow Factor: One of the only true canyons in Iowa, with stunning river views.
Cost: Admission to the wildlife area is free.
Located near Dubuque, the Whitewater Canyon Preserve is known for its rushing river, unique rock formations, and a diverse mix of plant and animal life. Small trails dot the area, and the high canyon walls offer a unique view as visitors explore via hiking, biking, and boating. This is a fairly isolated area, so bring your own canoe and explore at your pace.
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Best Caves In Iowa
Some of Iowa’s best-kept secrets are deep underground. The state has a unique geographical profile due to the movement of glaciers during the last ice age, and many of the remnants can be seen today. Some of these must-visit caves can only be seen on organized tours.
3. Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park, 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Wow Factor: The largest cave network in a state park in Iowa, and one of the only ones that can be accessed by solo visitors on foot.
Cost: Free
The most famous cave network in Iowa, this is a massive collection of caves amid some of the Hawkeye State’s most beautiful scenery. As you enter the park, you’ll be blown away by the towering rock formations that make some of Iowa’s most distinctive views. Many of the caves are easy to access on foot, but there are smaller and deeper caves that can only be explored by experienced spelunkers.
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4. Crystal Lake Cave
Crystal Lake Cave, 6684 Crystal Lake Cave Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003, USA
Wow Factor: An ancient cave filled with unique stalactite and stalagmite formations, seen through a guided tour.
Cost: Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for children 4-11. Children under 4 are free
Located underneath a rural cornfield near Dubuque, Crystal Lake Cave was discovered back in 1868 and has since become one of Iowa’s top tourist attractions. Access to the cave is via guided tour, and there are other activities like gem mining on the site for kids. The highlight is definitely the ancient underground rock formations you’ll see on the tour, with the stalactites and stalagmites being formed over millions of years.
5. Spook Cave
Spook Cave & Campground, 13299 Spook Cave Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Wow Factor: A unique, close-quarters boat tour through an eerie underground cave filled with fascinating rock formations.
Cost: Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for children under 12, and free for children under 4.
Known as Iowa's most haunted cave, this isn’t a typical haunted attraction but an unexpected journey into a flooded, ancient cave. The “haunted” vibe comes from the natural sounds made by the sounds of rushing water and wind through the cave. The entire tour is on a boat, but some areas include tight quarters and require some ducking while on board. The cave is also next to one of Iowa’s best campgrounds.
Best Waterfalls In Iowa
While Iowa doesn’t have the towering cascades of other states, its waterfalls are uniquely beautiful. Many are located in out-of-the-way locations and follow uneven paths, making them into moving works of art that are a little different in every season.
6. Beulah Springs Falls
Spook Cave & Campground, 13299 Spook Cave Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Wow Factor: A small but gorgeous cascading waterfall, located only feet from one of Iowa’s most impressive attractions.
Cost: While there is a cost for Spook Cave activities, visiting the sprinbgs is free.
Located on the grounds of Spook Cave, this Beulah Springs Falls is only feet from the cave and can be seen with no hiking. Just follow the flowing river until you come to a rock wall with water flowing down it. This is a gentle stream, so you’ll be able to walk right up to the waterfall and touch it. The waterfall is most beautiful in fall, when it’s surrounded by multi-colored leaves. While the campground and cave are closed in winter, the frozen waterfall is worth a quick visit.
7. Dunning's Spring Falls
Dunning's Spring Park, Ice Cave Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Wow Factor: Tallest waterfall in Iowa, at nearly 200 feet tall.
Cost: Free
Another Iowa waterfall that can be seen with little to no hiking, this Decorah stunner is only feet from the parking area in a roadside park. The waterfall in total is nearly 200 feet tall, and a wooden staircase offers a better look at the whole thing. Less of a straight drop than a cascade, it follows a winding path down to the pool at the bottom and is beautiful during all seasons of the year.
Wow Factor: Located in a rural country park, this small but beautiful waterfall is a uniquely peaceful spot in the woods.
Cost: Free
Located in what’s actually Iowa’s oldest county park, this Webster City hidden gem can be found via a short hike into the woods. The waterfall is small, but feeds into a stunning natural pool that’s just as popular with visitors as the massive lake nearby. This is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Iowa, so the odds are you’ll have this stunning view all to yourself if you go during the offseason.
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Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In Iowa
Have you even seen Iowa unless you’ve seen it from the highest vantage point? These overlooks provide some of the best views of the Hawkeye State’s natural beauty.
9. Pikes Peak Scenic Overlook
Pikes Peak Scenic Overlook, Unnamed Road, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Wow Factor: The best view possible of the Mississippi River, from an observation station in the middle of one of Iowa’s most beautiful parks.
Cost:Free.
Part of what many call the best state park in Iowa, this overlook is accessed by a boardwalk hike that takes you past a small waterfall until you reach the top of one of Iowa’s highest cliffs. The cliff has been transformed into an observation station that lets you see from miles around on the Mississippi, from multiple vantage points for ideal sightseeing and birdwatching.
10. Eagle Point Park
Eagle Point Park, 2601 Shiras Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Wow Factor: One of the best eastern overlooks in the state, with stunning Mississippi views from a lesser-known city park.
Cost: Free
Eagle Point Park is located on 164 acres of forest parkland and is one of the most beautiful parks in Iowa. The highlight is undeniably a high fenced overlook over the Mississippi, which might just be the most impressive spot for a picnic in the state. One feature that sets this overlook apart is the mounted binoculars, which make it possible to see into three states from one location - Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Best Rock Formations In Iowa
Formed over millions of years, some of the best natural wonders in Iowa can be found lining the river bluffs and valleys of our great state. Some even date back to before the dinosaurs.
Wow Factor: A unique geographical area of Iowa characterized by tall limestone bluffs, winding roads, and rivers perfect for canoeing.
Cost: Free access for driving and boating.
The Driftless Area often doesn’t feel like Iowa at all as we drive through it - and that’s because it’s a remnant of an area that was formed long before humans walked the Earth. Characterized by high limestone bluffs, dense forests, sinkholes, and other unique geographical features, it is a lightly populated region. This makes it a great location for a scenic drive that will take you off the beaten path and explore some of Iowa’s hidden gems.
12. Devonian Fossil Gorge
Devonian Fossil Gorge, 2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Wow Factor: A unique fossil site where the remnants of creatures that far predate the dinosaurs can be seen in ancient rock.
Cost: Free, although a parking fee per private vehicle may apply.
For a look even further back in history, the Devonian Fossil Gorge is unlike anything else in the Hawkeye State. The fossils here date back to over 400 million years, known as the age of fishes. Primordial creatures, concentrated in the oceans ruled the world - and their clear outlines can still be seen in the rocks today. While anyone can walk around and see the fossils, taking any fossils from the park is strictly prohibited.
Unique Natural Wonders In Iowa
Iowa is a one-of-a-kind state, so it stands to reason that some of our natural wonders can’t be found anywhere else in the USA – and don’t fit any other classification here.
13. Loess Hills
Loess Hills State Forest, Jackson Township, IA 51564, USA
Wow Factor: A gorgeous ancient landscape combining prairie and forest with rolling hills and steep bluffs. The scenic byway spans over a thousand square miles.
Cost: Free to drive or hike.
The Loess Hills were formed over millennia by wind-deposited loess soil, which makes them the most impressive collection of dust we’ve ever seen! Today, they might just be the most stunning scenic location in the state. A unique collection of prairie grasslands and forest that contain plant species rarely seen anywhere else, they can be explored on a scenic byway, as well as through a collection of hiking trails and parks.
Location: Northwestern Iowa, near the northern border.
Wow Factor: Massive lakes in the middle of a rural area that has become a tourist paradise. This is a perfect haven for those seeking water recreation.
Cost: Visiting the lakes is free, and boat rentals are available for an additional fee.
When you visit the Okoboji area, you might be fooled into thinking you’re in a beach resort. The largest lakes in Iowa, this collection of freshwater lakes are crystal-clear and range from busy tourist destinations to hidden beaches. They’re most busy in the summer, when they’re surrounded by tourist attractions, but they have a unique beauty in the winter when they’re frozen solid and play host to special cold-weather events.
15. Effigy Mounds National Monument
Effigy Mounds National Monument, 151 IA-76, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146, USA
Wow Factor: One of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Iowa, this pre-Colombian features hundreds of massive prehistoric mounds of shaped earth.
Cost: Access to the monument, plus guided tours, are all free. Donations are welcomed.
The most significant national monument in Iowa, this park is filled with effigy mounds - large-scale earthworks created by early Native Americans. While at first glance, many will just look like unusually shaped hills on the ground, a higher view will reveal that they’ve been shaped into animal forms that have stood for hundreds of years. The monument is carefully preserved, which means it plays host to a wide range of flora and fauna. Being in this preserve often feels like stepping back in time.
Have you visited any of these natural wonders in Iowa in the past? What are your favorite spots to savor the Hawkeye State’s natural beauty? Let us know in the comments section, and make sure to check out this road trip to three underrated state parks in Iowa for more hidden gems! A lot of these adventures might take you off the beaten path, so consider subscribing to AllTrails + – this app will help you stay connected with guides, alerts, and downloadable trail maps all across America.
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