There’s no shortage of stunning state parks in Iowa – from the Loess Hills to the mighty Mississippi, every region of the state seems to be hiding a perfect park. One not-so-hidden park is perhaps the most incredible of them all, though. Just one hike through Pikes Peak State Park will show you exactly why this is one of the most photographed parks in the entire Midwest.

Pikes Peak State Park is located in McGregor, Iowa.
Tripadvisor / Heidi
The Park Office is located at Pikes Peak State Park Physical Address: 32264 Pikes Peak Road, McGregor, IA 52157-8558.
This stunning state park features over 11 miles of trails that take you past a waterfall, enormous bluffs, and even dinosaur fossils.
Flickr / Carl Wyckoff
The best hike in the park though is the one that takes you to
Flickr / John W. Iwanski
No matter when you arrive, chances are you'll find other Iowans here as well. It's hard to pull yourself away from this view!
Flickr / Todd Ehlers
Look out across the Mississippi River, watch barges come in, and see if you can spot any wildlife.
Flickr / Todd Ehlers

Related Stories

The Underrated Natural Wonder Every Iowan Should See At Least Once

The Underrated Natural Wonder Every Iowan Should See At Least Once

 The Incredible Iowa Park You’ll Want To Visit Over And Over Again

The Incredible Iowa Park You’ll Want To Visit Over And Over Again

 Stroll Through The Walnut Groves At This Majestic 260-Acre Park In Iowa

Stroll Through The Walnut Groves At This Majestic 260-Acre Park In Iowa
Near the edge, you'll find a plaque explaining the various geographic formations you can spot from the top of this nearly 500' tall bluff.
Tripadvisor / Jan R.
Occasionally, fog will roll in and obscure the whole canyon! That makes the park seem mysterious and a little eerie.
Flickr / Todd Ehlers
The best time to be at the top of Pikes Peak, though, is right before sunrise.
Flickr / Jason Mrachina
You'll have to bring a headlamp and hike up the trails in the dark, but the payoff is absolutely worth it...
Flickr / Neal Wehlons
... because there is absolutely no better place in the midwest to catch an unbelievable, breathtaking sunrise.
Flickr / Jason Mrachina

Of course, not every Iowan likes to get up close with mother nature! If you’d rather your wilderness be a little less, well, wild, then perhaps a road trip through Iowa’s most charming small towns.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Iowa