Pretty much every Iowan has heard of Pikes Peak State Park, the Maquoketa Caves and the lovely hiking trails at Ledges State Park. But there are a lot of lesser known parks that are just as stunning. Wapsipinicon State Park is one of those parks. While it isn’t technically “hidden,” it is a park that many in Iowa may not have heard of or at least haven’t visited…yet.

Wapsipinicon State Park (aka, Wapsi) is located in Jones County on the outskirts of Anamosa and is one of Iowa’s first state parks, dedicated in 1923.
Flickr/jdurchen
This 394-acre park features sandstone and limestone bluffs, caves, hiking trails, diverse plant life and even an upside-down bridge.
Flickr/Matthew Hoelscher
Wapsi Park is home to a breathtaking white pine forest, one of the oldest plantings in Iowa.
Flickr/Marion Patterson
You can explore the park on foot on multi-use trails that take you down to Dutch Creek, the Ice Cave and Horse Thief Cave.
Flickr/Marion Patterson

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The ice cave welcomes visitors into cooler temperatures even when the summer heat is sweltering.
Flickr/Matthew Hoelscher
Horse Thief Cave is a bowl-shaped cave with a fascinating story. Legend has it that two horse thieves actually used the cave as their camp and hideout.
The park has a shaded campground with 30 campsites (15 with electrical hookups), modern bathrooms and showers.
Flickr/Marion Patterson
There’s also a 140-acre recreation area where visitors can hike, snowmobile, cross country ski, fish and hunt.
Flickr/jdurchen
And golf lovers can pay a visit to the Wapsipinicon Country Club for a round of golf.
Facebook/Wapsipinicon Country Club
Last but not least, make sure to make a splash driving through the upside down bridge!
Flickr/Ben Husmann

Wapsipinicon State Park is located at 21301 Co Rd. E34, Anamosa, IA.

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

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