Summer is a great time to hit the road for a scenic road trip in Iowa. Iowa’s big woods, river bluffs, and rolling prairie hold some amazing surprises for those embarking on a road trip. Some of these stops may be old favorites, and others may be undiscovered gems, but there is something on this scenic road trip for every traveler who wants to see Iowa like never before.

Get ready to hit the road on a scenic road trip in Iowa that will take you to the state's most scenic views.
Self-generated/Google Maps
The total driving for this road trip is 8 hours and 18 minutes. Don't forget your winter travel essentials if you head out to see the Iowa scenery during cold weather months.
We'll start out at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the state's defining location for plant lovers.
Management/TripAdvisor
Under the roof of the massive arboretum, you'll find hundreds of species of native and rare plants on display.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Krishna K/TripAdvisor
Next, drive north to Ledges State Park, the perfect site for a relaxing hike in Iowa.
Cryptic_Tourist/TripAdvisor
The old cobblestone bridges will take you past impressive natural rock formations and lush Iowa woods.
Ledges State Park, P Avenue, Madrid, IA, USA
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South of Des Moines, you'll find PepperHarrow Farms, a working flower farm with stunning views of the prairie.
PepperHarrow/Facebook
During spring and summer, it sells flowers to the entire area - so make sure to pick up some for that special someone back home.
PepperHarrow Farm, 1809 S 4th Ave, Winterset, IA 50273, USA
PepperHarrow/Facebook

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On your way across Iowa, make sure to stop at Newton Family Restaurant, an old-school diner by the roadside.
Newton Family Restaurant/Facebook
It might not look like much on the outside, but the locals swear by its large, filling portions of country cooking.
Newton Family Restaurant, 1st Avenue East, Newton, IA, USA
Newton Family Restaurant/Facebook
Next, it's time to head below ground - literally - at the Crystal Lake Cave complex in Dubuque.
Mark A/TripAdvisor
Inside this vast cave network, you'll find impressive collections of stalactites and stalagmites that have been growing for centuries.
Crystal Lake Cave Road, Dubuque, IA, USA
Heidimb81/TripAdvisor
Time for a meal with a view at the Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, one of the state's best dockside dining options in Maquoketa.
IowaAdvisor 50021/TripAdvisor
On the menu? Fresh fried catfish and other specialties. Make sure to keep an eye out for their famous all-you-can-eat special.
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, 9301 95th Ave, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Cigar 614/TripAdvisor
Fortified for the road ahead, head north to your final destination - Iowa's only national monument.
AndyB5542/TripAdvisor
The view from Effigy Mounds is truly one-of-a-kind, and the chance to explore the human history of the Hawkeye State, and walk the land occupied by its ancient peoples, is humbling.
Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa 76, Harpers Ferry, IA, USA
Management/TripAdvisor

Although this scenic road trip in Iowa only takes a little more than eight hours, in terms of driving time, don’t forget to allow time for each stop, so you can soak in all that Iowa’s most scenic places have to offer. Take a whole day, or even a long weekend, for the trip, so you can truly enjoy and appreciate the Hawkeye State’s beauty.

Are there any must-see stops on your Iowa road trip plans this year? Let us know all about your travels in the comments section. Many of these stops may have special offers throughout the year, so keep an eye on Iowa’s official tourism website to see what’s available and to make sure you don’t miss a single opportunity.

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More to Explore

Ideas For A Scenic Road Trip In Iowa

Trent Jonas | February 08, 2023

Iowa's Most Scenic Places

You'll find Iowa's most scenic places in just about every corner of the state, from the Missouri to the Mississippi, and from the driftless area to Des Moines - beauty abounds in the Hawkeye State, and the best way to see as much of it as possible is to take a road trip. Drive through some of the Hawkeye State's most amazing natural wonders. Or just head out on one of Iowa's bucolic country roads, and see where it leads you.

Iowa Scenery

There is some truly stunning Iowa scenery out there. You'll find it along river bluffs, the rolling prairies, in caves, and yes, even in the form of waterfalls, of which there are several in the state. In fact, you can see many of the state's most scenic caves and waterfalls in a single road trip.

What's The Best Road Trip In Iowa?

There's really no way of choosing the single best road trip in Iowa. Frankly, we recommend that you take several road trips a year so you can experience what the state has to offer in each season. A drive across the entire state will show you a lot, but there will still be much left to explore. So, get out, hit the road, and have a Hawkeye State adventure.

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