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Nature|Waterfalls

There’s Nothing Quite As Magical As The Waterfall You’ll Find At Decorah Fish Hatchery In Iowa

Decorah Fish Hatchery in Iowa offers natural beauty, including Siewers Springs and opportunities for hiking, biking, and trout fishing.

Published Dec 3, 2021

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Waterfalls might just be nature's most beautiful creation. We're fortunate to have quite a few natural and manmade waterfalls dotting the state, all waiting to be explored. One, however, is easy to reach. It's also the perfect destination when you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet. Plan a visit to Decorah Fish Hatchery in Iowa, where you'll find the breathtaking Siewers Springs.

Decorah Fish Hatchery is an ideal destination if you love spending time in nature, and it's got a few surprises in store, especially if you've never visited before.

Sign for Deborah Fish Hatchery along a grassy area, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.
Trip Advisor/Beth B.

A stroll through the grounds of the hatchery promises an abundance of natural beauty. If you're up for a hike or a bike ride, follow Trout Run Trail.

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A serene landscape featuring a winding stream, lush greenery, and a quaint house surrounded by trees.
Google/Richard Guerrero

The 11-mile trail, which is also popular with cross-country skiers in the winter, will lead you on a spectacular tour of Decorah. Along the way, you'll pass rolling farmland and limestone bluffs.

A serene, green landscape featuring a calm river surrounded by lush vegetation and trees.
Google/Richard Guerrero

However, while you're on the hatchery grounds, you'll definitely want to make your way to Siewers Springs - the second largest natural spring in Iowa.

A serene scene of a small waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by lush greenery and a bench nearby.
Google/Darrin Ochsner

If you're visiting when the weather's warm, you might want to sit on the grass, enjoy a picnic, and watch as the water cascades down.

A serene scene featuring a small waterfall flowing into a river, with a red barn and lush greenery in the background.
Google/Richard Guerrero

The manmade waterfall, however, is gorgeous no matter in what season you visit. Definitely plan to see it sprinkled with snow.

A snowy landscape featuring a small waterfall, a river, and a lone chair on the bank.
Trip Advisor/kalliann2323

Decorah Fish Hatchery is also known for its bald eagles. If you're lucky, you might even get to snap a few photos of the majestic birds.

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Two eagles perched on a tree branch, surrounded by vibrant green leaves against a clear blue sky.
Trip Advisor/Linda I.

A trip to the fish hatchery wouldn't be complete without a visit to see the trout and maybe even do a little trout fishing.

A school of fish swimming in clear water, with sunlight creating ripples on the surface.
Trip Advisor/GailCheryl

Head over to the official website of Friends of Decorah Fish Hatchery for more information. Or, go

here for Facebook.

A serene river flows through a lush landscape with trees and greenery under a clear blue sky.
Google/Tom Magee

Have you been to Decorah Fish Hatchery in Iowa? What's your favorite thing about this Iowa destination? Let us know in the comments! If you love waterfalls, here are nine hidden waterfalls in Iowa that are worth seeking out.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Stunning Top-Secret Waterfall In Iowa Nobody’s Ever Heard Of

Published Aug 2, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Decorah is one of Iowa's most beautiful small towns, combining a wonderful small-town atmosphere and a rich cultural history with some stunning natural sites only minutes from downtown. When you talk about Decorah and waterfalls, almost everyone's mind immediately goes to Dunnings Spring Falls - and we can't blame them! It's definitely one of the state's most beautiful sights. But did you know there's a secret waterfall in Iowa only minutes from that park, and it's easy to find with only a short hike? Welcome to Twin Springs Park, one of the most relaxing and beautiful city parks in Iowa. It's best seen with a 0.8-mile loop trail, the Twin Springs Headwaters Loop Trail, which will take you right by a charming waterfall. We think it's a great way to spend a peaceful summer day and beat the crowds and the heat!

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One of the most laid-back parks in Iowa, Twin Springs Park is perfect for a hot summer day.

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Nick Chill/Google Local

The park is a small area just outside of Decorah, and it's an ideal spot for a quick summer hike followed by a cookout. It's a dog-friendly park if you have fido on a leash.

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Darrin Ochsner/google Local

The small park only has one trail, an easy 0.8-mile loop trail. Just follow it along the creek...

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Darrin Ochsner/Google Local

And you'll come to a beautiful, tiny waterfall that makes an incredibly peaceful photo opportunity.

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Tom Huffman/Google Local

There will rarely be anyone around except on the busiest days - but you might get some local company from the woods and the trout anglers targeting the holes along the stream.

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Nick Chill/Google Local

This park only takes a short time to explore, but it's well worth sticking around for a beautiful sunset by the falls.

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Logan Strom/AllTrails

Have you visited Twin Springs Park in Decorah and seen this beautiful secret waterfall in Iowa? Let us know about your visit in the comments section! If you want to see more pictures of the trail, make sure to visit the AllTrails trail listing. If you love hiking, consider a subscription to AllTrails Plus. The mobile app is remarkably convenient for hiking in remote areas, thanks to its downloadable trail maps with step-by-step instructions. And if you're looking for a memorable night out in Decorah after your hike, check out nearby Twin Springs Supper Club.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Union Grove Lake Lower Loop Is One Of The Best Waterfall Hikes In Iowa

Published Jul 3, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Some of my favorite hikes are those that include the best waterfalls in Iowa. These cascades are scattered around the state, and some take a pretty long and intense hike to reach. One that doesn't is located in Union Grove State Park, a beautiful rural haven about 65 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids. This laid-back park is home to maybe the best waterfall hike in Iowa, the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop. Coming in at only 2.3 miles, this easy loop trail is an ideal day adventure for beginner hikers and is full of beautiful sights even before you get to the park's famous spillway. We find this is an amazing hike any time of the year, because it's so accessible to all skill levels. Read on to discover why this hike belongs on your state park bucket list!

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Union Grove State Park is one of those laid-back hidden gems that's great for hiking, sight-seeing, and even camping.

Sign for Union Grove State Park, surrounded by greenery, indicating the Department of Natural Resources.
Jason Sydejko/AllTrails

There are two main trails here, and the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop trail is an easy 2.3-mile loop trail that's suitable for all skill levels.

A wooden bridge over a small stream, surrounded by trees and grass, with a warning sign nearby.
Darrin Ochsner/AllTrails

The trail is most popular in the summer, when the lake is at its most beautiful and is ripe for recreation.

A serene lake surrounded by greenery under a blue sky with fluffy clouds reflecting on the water's surface.
Le Cox/AllTrails

The highlight here, though, is probably the park's famous, small waterfall - a beautiful sight.

A sign indicating a waterfall, with a hiker symbol and a "No ATVs" sign, surrounded by greenery and rocks.
Valerie Boelman/AllTrails

A small spillway, it's one of the most beautiful sights in the park and offers a great photo op for visitors.

A small waterfall cascades over a stone ledge into a rocky stream, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Daniel Valencia/AllTrails

While more people visit during warm weather, it's uniquely peaceful in the winter, as well, when it's frozen solid.

A frozen waterfall surrounded by snow-covered rocks and trees in a winter landscape.
Jon Day/AllTrails

Have you hiked the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop before? What's your favorite waterfall hike in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can see more pictures of this trail on its official AllTrails trail listing, and visit the Union Grove State Park website for more information about this laid-back park's many amenities. And if you're looking to build up to more challenging hikes, we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails +, so you'll always be equipped with downloadable trail guides and step-by-step directions, no matter how remote things get.

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Looking for a unique place to eat around this area? Head to the nearby community of Marshalltown for The Flying Elbow, an over-the-top, wrestling-themed restaurant.

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