One of the best ways to see Iowa’s natural beauty is on the open road, and the state has some truly spectacular scenic byways. Many of them are incredibly famous and make for amazing road trips, but there are some that many people have never even heard of. One of the lesser known is the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, a peaceful drive through northwestern Iowa. At more than 36 miles and featuring some truly stunning landscapes, this road traces the paths carved by massive glaciers eons ago. But it’s not all about admiring the landscape – this route will take you through historic sites, beautiful state parks, and even a unique winery! We can attest that there’s no better way to spend a day than driving through the Iowa countryside and discovering new destinations along one of the most scenic drives in Iowa!

The Glacial Trail Scenic Byway takes you along some of Iowa's less-traveled roads...
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..and greets you with truly gorgeous points of interest.
Along the way, you'll encounter rolling hills, broad farmlands...
Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, 500th Street, Peterson, IA, USA
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...and crystal-clear Iowa lakes. Think of all the memories these will make!
Early in your trip, you'll pass by Dog Creek Park.
Dog Creek Park, Sutherland, IA, USA
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Dog Creek Park is a charming small park with a lake that's popular for boating and fishing.
Maybe the most famous spot along this route is the Prairie Heritage Center in Peterson.
Prairie Heritage Center, Yellow Avenue, Peterson, IA, USA
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This area features hundreds of restored acres of prairie land where bison peacefully graze.

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The Kirchner Park Museum is located in Peterson's historical area.
Kirchner Park, Oak, Peterson, IA, USA
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Many of the buildings in the area date back to the mid-1800s.
The Historic Fort Peterson Blockhouse was built in 1862 in preparation for the Great Sioux Uprising spreading to Iowa.
Fort Peterson Blockhouse, Park St, Peterson, IA 51047, USA
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It stands today along this scenic drive in Iowa as a relic of early American combat
Next, stop at InnSpiration Winery in Linn Grove for a delicious wine tasting!
InnSpiration Winery, 180th Ave, Linn Grove, IA, USA
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It is one of the many outstanding wineries dotted around the state.
Your trip ends at the Linn Grove Dam Area, a beautiful 12-acre public park.
Linn Grove Dam Park, Linn Grove, IA, USA
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Editor's note: Water no longer flows over the dam but the park is still a quite beautiful Iowa park!

If you were to do a search for “scenic drives near me,” this byway would most certainly pop up at the top of the list!

Have you taken the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway? Would you agree that it is among the prettiest Iowa scenic byways? Let us know what you thought of this gorgeous scenic drive in Iowa in the comments section. You can learn more about the efforts to preserve this historic region on the official state conservation website.

If you’re interested in taking another scenic drive through underrated areas of Iowa, consider a trip highlighting Iowa’s natural wonders.

For those who enjoy hiking, you can find some great trails along the byway by going to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Iowa adventures, take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

Exploring Beautiful Iowa

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | August 18, 2023

Where can we find other scenic drives in Iowa?

  • The Loess Hills Scenic Byway stretches 220 miles and features the Broken Kettle Grasslands, Preparation Canyon State Park, and more along the way.
  • The Grant Wood Scenic Byway stretches for 75 miles and features historic markers, scenic overlooks, and more.
  • The Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway is a 36-mile drive that skirts along Lake Delhi.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other scenic drives in Iowa.

Where can we go biking in Iowa?

  • The T-Bone Trail which runs between Audubon and Pymosa Township is a 20-mile-long paved, non-motorized trail and is part of the American Discovery Trail.
  • The Mississippi River Trail runs along the Mississippi River through Iowa and nine other states, for a total length of about 3,000 miles.
  • The Hoover Nature Trail, which runs between Burlington and Cedar Rapids, is a 24-mile-long eastern Iowa trail popular with bikers, hikers, and others.

Read on to learn about some of the many other great places to go biking in Iowa.

Where can we go fishing in Iowa?

  • Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County is where you can catch an abundant variety of fish, including walleye, yellow bass, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and other varieties.
  • Lake Ahquabi near Indianola is the place to cast your line for largemouth bass, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, black and white crappies, and more.
  • East and West Lake Okoboji in Dickinson County together span 11,366 acres and are teeming with more than 40 species of fish.

Read on to learn more about the other exciting places to go fishing in Iowa.

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