Are you looking for the best waterfalls in Iowa? Well, you've come to the right place. We may not be known for our magnificent waterfalls, but Iowa still has a few beautiful little falls hiding across the state! If you've been searching for "Iowa waterfalls near me," we made it easy for you and put together an easy-going weekend waterfall trip to guide you to some of the most beautiful Iowa falls and spillways. And you'll have plenty of time to explore each one! This trip begins in Iowa City. You can make it a loop and just head back to Iowa City once you're done, or you could hit the waterfalls in both directions - it's a build your own journey; and if you make it a loop route, you can jump in at any point to make your way to any of these Iowa waterfalls.
If you tried to do this whole itinerary in one shot, it would take five and a half hours with no stops, which is hardly an ideal way to see our waterfalls!
Begin your journey on Saturday morning. We're using Iowa City as our starting point. Start by heading a few minutes north of town toward Lake Macbride State Park. Let's get started on one of the best day trips in Iowa!
1. MacBride Falls
The drive from Des Moines to McBride Falls takes about two hours, so you'll arrive mid- to late-morning, depending on what time you leave.
MacBride Falls may be man-made, but it is definitely unique and more beautiful than your average spillway. The rocky formations in the river create rapids and currents that actually appear somewhat natural, and the area, as a whole, is quite lovely. You can reach MacBride Falls via an easy hike. It is located between Lake MacBride and the Coralville Reservoir, both of which offer tons of additional water-based recreational activities.
The beach at Lake MacBride is a popular spot to come cool off during the warm summer months. Make sure you dive on in and enjoy your visit while you're there! We suggest eating lunch in the area before continuing on to your next wonderful waterfall destination.
Read our full coverage for more information on MacBride Falls.
2. Wapsipinicon Dam Spillway
The drive between MacBride Falls and Wapsipinicon State Park takes about 40 minutes.
Wapsipinicon State Park is one of the oldest in the state and offers several cool features to check out, including a dam spillway that you can see from above by walking out on a cool old trestle bridge.
If you are looking for things to do in Iowa and are up for a hike, there are several mixed-use trails in the park, but you may want to adjust your morning at Lake MacBride to make sure you save some extra time to explore.
Leave Wapsipinicon State Park mid-afternoon. We know it's nearly impossible to tear yourself away from such a lovely spot, but dinner will be worth it... but it's still an hour away and you need to get there early if you want to snag a table!
Read our full coverage for more information on Wapsipinicon State Park.
3. Bluff Lake Catfish Farm
We simply love this out-of-the-way restaurant (they serve up some of the best fish fry on weekends), but one perk of this special place is that there is an amazing waterfall right in the backyard! The drive between Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa takes about 50 minutes, and we suggest scheduling your day to get here around 4 p.m.
It's quite a popular spot, so if you don't get there early, you will definitely be waiting for a table. However, it's hard to complain when you get to kick back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful waterfall right on site!
By this time, you're probably getting worn out from the day's adventures (and an incredible meal), but it's time to hop on the road for one last leg up to Dundee (a little over an hour), so that you have plenty of time to pack in a second day of adventures as soon as you wake up in the morning!
Read our full coverage for more information on Bluff Lake Catfish Farm.
4. Backbone State Park Spillway & Richmond Springs
Rise and shine! If you stayed overnight in Dundee, you are super close to your first stop on Day 2 of your Waterfall Weekend adventure. We hope you think this is one of the best day trips in Iowa you've taken so far.
Backbone State Park is definitely one of our favorites in the state, and there are few cool little waterfalls to see here. The Backbone State Park Spillway is accessible from the West Lake Trail, but you can also see it on a quick drive through the park on 129th street to catch a view as you pass by.
Another favorite spot to visit in this park is Richmond Springs, which may be even more impressive that the actual spillway. The clear, beautiful spring water flows up from deep underground wells, creating a lovely little pool at the northern end of the park. It's one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Iowa.
Read our full coverage for more information on Richmond Springs.
Hikers love Backbone State Park for its network of trails that crisscross this beautiful area. We kept this in mind, so you should have a few hours to explore in the morning. When you're ready to head out, you're next two sites can be found in McGregor.
Read our full coverage for more information on Backbone State Park.
5. Beulah Spring Falls
The drive from Dundee to McGregor takes about 50 minutes. Once you're there, head over to Beulah Springs Falls! It's not a tall falls, but it’s still worth a visit! The falls spills out from a cave in the rocks and rolls down a mossy incline. It's located in Clayton County, so you also have the option to stop and take the Spook Cave Tour while you are in the area; you can float a small boat down the river that has flooded a narrow cave!
Read our full coverage for more information on Spook Cave.
6. Bridal Veil Falls / Pikes Peak State Park
Also in McGregor, Bridal Veil Falls in Pikes Peak State Park can run a little dry in the off seasons, but when it is flowing, it’s one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Iowa. A quick and easy one-mile hike takes you from the parking lot to the falls.
If you happen to visit on a day when Bridal Veil just isn’t flowing, fear not; there is still tons to see and do at Pikes Peak State Park. Head over to the overlook platform for some of the most incredible panoramic views of the Mississippi River in the entire state!
After you've filled up on beautiful Mississippi River views, head the road and head to Decorah. It takes about an hour, but there are three awesome falls waiting for you.
Read our full coverage for more information on Bridal Veil Falls.
7. Malanaphy Falls
Malanaphy Springs State Preserve is absolutely lovely! It’s located a bit north of Decorah and it’s only a quick two-mile hike to reach Malanaphy Spring Falls, a spring-fed little spillover into the Upper Iowa River.
As Malanaphy Falls spills right into the river, you can turn this outing into a day on the water by renting kayaks or canoes and paddle up the river route to where the falls spills out! It's an awesome place if you are looking for adventurous things to do in Iowa.
Read our full coverage for more information on Malanaphy Falls.
8. Siewers Springs Falls
Siewers Springs is only steps away from Dennings State Park in Decorah. It’s a man-made spillway, but it’s still quite a lovely spot to kick back and relax. The Decorah Fish Hatchery is also located in the park, and it’s pretty cool to check out the fish as they grow and mature and are eventually released back into the local waters. It’s definitely a fun activity if you have kids!
Read our full coverage for more information on Siewers Springs Falls.
9. Dunning’s Spring Falls
Perhaps the most famous in the state, this stunning 200-foot waterfall is located in Dunnings Spring Park and is easily walkable from the downtown area. Malanaphy, Siewers, and Dunning's Falls are all super close to each other, so you will definitely find an epic waterfall afternoon in Decorah.
We love Decorah - it’s such a fun town, and it offers tons of unique shops to poke around in, beautiful parks for picnicking, and trails to explore; however, this is the last waterfall stop on this Weekend Waterfall Itinerary, one of the best day trips in Iowa you can take. If you are lucky enough to have a three-day weekend in front of you, you should definitely spend some extra time in Decorah! Otherwise, grab a snack and hit the road for the two-and-half hour drive back to Iowa City.
Read our full coverage for more information on Dunning’s Spring Falls.
If you've been searching for the best waterfalls in Iowa, this road trip will give you a good start on exploring some of the best in the state. Are you itching to get on the road yet? What are your favorite waterfalls in Iowa? Let us know in the comments!
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