When the spirit hits you, there’s nothing like getting behind the wheel and going for a long drive on the best backroads in Iowa. When you head off the highway and toward Iowa’s backroads, it’s easy to appreciate the peaceful beauty that the Hawkeye State offers. In fact, several of these once-humble scenic drives in Iowa have evolved into popular attractions in their own right. Here are five of the most beautiful backroads to explore on your next Iowa road trip.

1. Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
Dorsalmo/TripAdvisor
This isn't just a backroad - it's one of Iowa's most unique natural wonders, thanks to its ancient hills.
Loess Hills Scenic Overlook, Oak Ave, Moorhead, IA 51558
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It's also become a popular spot for hiking, with most of the paths perfect for all skill levels.

Get an in-depth look at the Loess Hills area:

2. Western Skies Scenic Byway
Western Skies Scenic Byway/Facebook
Much flatter but no less gorgeous is this winding road through central Iowa.
Elk Horn, IA 51531, USA
Western Skies Scenic Byway/Facebook
This road trip takes you through many of Iowa's famous Danish villages like Elk Horn, where you'll feel like you just took a trip to Europe.

Learn some of the history of Elk Horn and its connection with Denmark:

3. White Pole Road
TravelIowa
This scenic backroad is one of Iowa's little secrets, a quirky detour through farm country with some strange landmarks.

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 This Rural Road Trip Will Take You To Some Of The Best Countryside Hidden Gems In Iowa

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White Pole Road, White Pole Rd, Stuart, IA, USA
TravelIowa
Running for around 26 miles and passing through small towns like Adair and Dexter, it's marked by 500 painted white poles that have been standing for decades.
4. Historic Hills Scenic Byway
TravelIowa
The forests surrounding these gorgeous backroads are among the most beautiful in the state, especially in the fall.
Bentonsport, IA 52565, USA
TravelIowa
But this 110-mile drive through southeastern Iowa will also take you through some of Iowa's oldest communities, including historic Bentonsport.
5. Great River Road National Scenic Byway
TravelIowa
The Great River Road does not belong to Iowa, alone. Rather, this Mississippi River-adjacent byway is one of the great American road trips.
Great River Road, Great River Rd, Lansing, IA, USA
TravelIowa
But the Iowa section, which covers over 300 miles, takes you through some of the state's most stunning views and attractive riverfront towns.

See what it’s like to drive along this gorgeous road:

Have you enjoyed a ride along any of these scenic drives in Iowa? Is there an underrated Iowa road for sightseeing you can’t wait to get back to driving across? Let us know in the comments section. Iowa is full of hidden gems, and road trips are the best way to see them. So pack up the car, and hit some of the best backroads in Iowa!

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More to Explore

Road Trip Attractions In Iowa

William Suphan | August 16, 2023

What are the most beautiful natural wonders in Iowa?

The most beautiful natural wonders in Iowa include:

  • Ledges State Park. The sandstone cliffs here were formed by the ocean that covered this area 300 million years ago.
  • Pikes Peak State Park. This stunning park has gorgeous views overlooking the Mississippi River from 500 feet up.
  • Upper Iowa River. The bluffs alongside this river exist due to this area being avoided by glaciers in the last ice age.
  • Maquoketa Caves. These limestone caves are the result of natural erosion over thousands of years and are quite a sight.

Find out more about the most beautiful natural wonders in Iowa. 

What are the most unusual attractions in Iowa?

The most unusual attractions in Iowa include:

  • Future birthplace of Captain Kirk. Riverside, Iowa has a monument to this beloved fictional Star Trek character.
  • The Volkswagen Spider. Located in Avoca, this roadside attraction is a huge metal spider whose body is made from a VW Beetle.
  • World’s Largest Truck Stop. This truck stop in Walcott has a dentist, movie theater, barber, laundromat, and much more.
  • Ice Cave in Decorah. This cave stays frozen constantly due to an underground glacier and doesn’t even warm up in the summer.

Learn more about the most unusual attractions in Iowa. 

What are the most underrated attractions in Iowa?

The most underrated attractions in Iowa include:

  • Fenelon Place Elevator. This funicular ride is the steepest and shortest scenic railway on the planet and has amazing views.
  • Waubonsie State Park. This is a place out of a Thomas Kinkaid painting when you stop here to view the gorgeous sunsets.
  • Pappajohn Scuplture Park. The various whimsical and creative art installations here are a joy to behold and photograph.
  • Effigy Mounds National Monument. There are over 200 Native American burial mounds here with trails that allow you views from all angles.

Discover more about the most underrated attractions in Iowa.

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