Iowa offers miles of hiking trails, yet traveling on foot is not the only way to experience the state’s network of avenues. Multiple counties (notably Jackson, Jones, and Delaware) each claim their own share of the Maquoketa River Water Trail, as the tributary of the Mississippi River winds through the rolling hills of Northeastern Iowa for 150 miles. Dozens of easy access points create segments of varying lengths of the Maquoketa for kayakers, canoers, and floaters to enjoy.

Nearly a century ago, the Civilian Conversation Corps built this boathouse at Backbone State Park. The autumn leaves wonderfully frame the structure.
Phil Augustavo/iStock via Getty Images Plus
One of the most popular segments of the Maquoketa River Water Trail is the 18-mile stretch that starts here at Backbone State Park and goes to the whitewater park in Manchester.
Christine Warner/flickr
In many ways, as this wide-angle view illustrates, the Maquoketa resembles a lake as much as a river. The tranquil nature of the water makes for pleasant paddling.
Robin/flickr

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The water that flows under this bridge in Jackson County is not accessible to kayaks year-round, but the stark beauty remains intact.
Phil Roeder/flickr
The golden trees on the shore make the early fall an especially appealing time of year to experience the Maquoketa River.
Robin/flickr
The landscape along the river is as attractive as the water itself.
Robin/flickr
If you can time your stay on the water to include the sunset, the Maquoketa River will reward you.
Robin/flickr

Many companies stationed along the Maquoketa River offer rentals of kayaks, canoes, and tubes. Government agencies, including the counties where the river flows, provide information about access points. Here’s an excellent guide from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources about how to use the Maquoketa and other rivers in the state.

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