If these amazing Iowa locations aren’t on your bucket list, it may be time for a revision.

Iowa is full of beautiful places, but these are really worth a special trip.

1. Experts say there’s still time to see the Northern Lights in Iowa during 2017 before activity levels fall. Your best chance is in a place where there’s very little light pollution and the landscape is flat.
Roberta/Flickr
Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids has 5,500 acres that are open to the public. You can camp there or rent the guest farmhouse or any of the several cottages. The star-gazing here is legendary.
2. The 109-mile winding road that crosses three rivers, offers a three-state view of the Mississippi at Pikes Peak, and has breathtaking views of the river valleys is called River Bluffs Scenic Byway.
Kelan Rathbun/Flickr
You can start or end in Guttenberg. You’ll see Garber, Elkport, Volga, Wadena, Fayette, West Union, Clermont, Gunder, St. Olaf, Elkader, Giard, and McGregor.
3. The Loess Hills Trail Road that leads into Missouri Valley is one of the most beautiful places to drive in Iowa.
Rich/Flickr
The Loess Hills are about 15 miles wide and span 200 miles from north of Sioux City to St. Joseph, Missouri.
4. Ledges State Park in Boone is one of Iowa’s first state parks.
Mike Harper/Flickr
Its unique terrain includes sandstone cliffs and dense woods. A stone bridge and timber-frame shelters from the 30s are visible when hiking the well-maintained trails.
5. The view of the Wisconsin bridge from Eagle Point Outlook in Dubuque is not to be missed.
SD Dirk/Flickr
This 164-acre public park is in northeast Dubuque. You’ll see Lock and Dam No. 11, the city of Dubuque, and across the river to Grant County in Wisconsin.

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6. How often do you head underground to see some of the most beautiful rock formations?
Randy L/Trip Advisor
Spook Cave is a family-friendly boat ride through a mile-long flooded cave that’s been a tourist attraction since the 50s.
7. Bridal Veil Falls at Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor is beautiful any time of the year.
Photo Credit: Margaret Morey
There’s a one-mile round-trip hike from the parking lot that’s very well-maintained.
8. The BBC named the High Trestle Trail Bridge one of the eight most amazing footbridges on the planet in 2015.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
You must see it at sunset. This bridge stretches between Madrid and Woodward over the Des Moines River.
9. The sapphire waters of Okoboji are a sight to behold.
Mary Fairchild/Flickr
There’s over 3,800 acres of water, here and nearly 20 miles of shoreline. Fed by cool subterranean springs, the water is clear and fresh.
3. If your idea of beautiful includes the animal kingdom, you'll want to visit Jester Park.
Phil Roeder/Flickr
There's a bison herd there that is breathtaking. The address is 11407 NW Jester Park Dr., Granger

What’s your favorite beautiful Iowa location? Tell us about it in the comments.

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