Iowa is full of gorgeous state parks brimming with natural beauty and just waiting to be explored. And, some state parks get more attention than others. One state park that is absolutely beautiful but is a little more off the beaten path than some is Palisades-Kepler State Park. It’s totally worth a visit if you haven’t been there yet.

Palisades-Kepler State Park is located along the Cedar River in Linn County.
Flickr/Louis
It is located a few miles outside the scenic and charming town of Mount Vernon, where you can easily drive for a great meal or to peruse the charming local shops.
Wikipedia/ArtisticAbode
The beautiful park covers 840 acres and features dramatic river bluffs, deep ravines, majestic hardwood trees, a large variety of wildflowers and abundant wildlife.
Flickr/Louis
Palisades-Kepler State Park is also important for its prehistoric past.
Flickr/Matthew Hoelscher
A molar tooth of a mammoth was once found here, and the park’s exposed rocks along the Cedar River are filled with fossils that contain millions of years of history.
Flickr/Matthew Hoelscher
The park also contains Indian mounds, a reminder that this was a Native American haunt hundreds of years ago.

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The park has a historic lodge available to rent for special events, as well as four family cabins available for weekly rentals.
Yelp/Jessica W.
They accommodate up to four people and have a shower, restroom, stovetop and refrigerator. To rent a cabin, call 1-877-IAPARKS.
There are also 44 campsites, 26 with electrical hookups, with modern shower and restroom facilities.
Flickr/Louis
In addition to cabins and camping, there’s plenty to do at the park, including boating, bird watching, rock climbing, hiking, cross country skiing and more.
Flickr/Rich Herrmann
Flickr/Louis
As you explore the park, you’ll marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty and the lush, wild open spaces.
Flickr/Rich Herrmann

Palisades-Kepler State Park is located at 700 Kepler Dr., Mt Vernon, IA.

Have you been to this beautiful park? What did you think? For more of Iowa’s amazing state parks, These 13 State Parks In Iowa Are Breathtakingly Beautiful.

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