Iowans are lucky to live in such a beautiful place, even though it often gets dismissed as a flyover state. Prove to yourself that the Hawkeye State is full of stunning natural beauty by heading out on the best hikes in Iowa to really enjoy it! What are your favorite hiking trails in Iowa? Did yours make the list? Check it out:

1. Fort Des Moines Nature Trail
Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
AllTrails / Laura Coyle
Spend 1.7 miles exploring this popular loop trail through Fort Des Moines Park. After you've taken the time to enjoy the fresh air, let the kids play on the playground or lay out a picnic lunch on one of the community tables.
2. Backbone Trail, Backbone State Park
Backbone State Park, 1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038, USA
AllTrails / Justin Benge
Backbone Trail is a one-mile loop in the oldest state park in Iowa. This short spring hike will take you across creeks and up into the woods before heading back down to where you began. Look for deer, woodpeckers, and maybe even harmless snakes if it's warm enough.
3. Robertson Bird Sanctuary
Robertson Bird Sanctuary, Waterloo, IA 50701, USA
AllTrails / David Weldon
The Robertson Bird Sanctuary is a wildlife preserve near Waterloo. The out-and-back trail takes you 1.2 miles, and if you visit in the middle of the day, you might even have the whole place to yourself.
4. Wapsipinicon Loop Trail, Wapsipinicon State Park
Wapsipinicon State Park, 21301 Co Rd E34, Anamosa, IA 52205, USA
AllTrails / Alexis Lincoln
The beautiful river loop trail through Wapsipinicon State Park is a 1.4-mile stroll through heaven! This quiet, peaceful trail will show off water views like no other.
5. Ridge Trail, Waubonsie State Park
Waubonsie State Park, 2585 Waubonsie Park Rd, Hamburg, IA 51640, USA
AllTrails / Tamarah Murphy
The two-mile Ridge Trail loop is one of the best short spring hikes in Iowa. You can see for miles along the Loess Hills and if you hike quietly, there's a good chance you'll get to spot some wildlife.
6. Nations Bridge Loop Trail
AllTrails / Todd Shepherd
Nations Bridge Loop Trail is a quiet 1.2-mile loop trail in the 80-acre Nations Bridge Park. The park is one of Iowa's best kept secrets, and you'll love spotting birds and taking in the sights and sounds of nature from this quiet oasis.
7. Pilot Knob, Pilot Knob State Park
Pilot Knob State Park, 2148 340th St, Forest City, IA 50436, USA
AllTrails / Gabriel Kesler
The hike to the top of the tower at Pilot Knob State Park is less than half a mile, out and back. The wildflowers that line your path make this hike so worth the effort to climb to the top, and the view is to die for.
8. Crows Nest Loop, Ledges State Park
Ledges State Park, P Avenue, Madrid, IA, USA
AllTrails / Doug Focken
Ledges State Park is full of short spring hikes that show off unique topography. The Crow's Nest is a one-mile loop that's known for beautiful wildflowers in the spring.
9. Starr's Cave Park and Preserve
Starr's Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starrs Cave Park Rd, Burlington, IA 52601, USA
AllTrails / Taylor Morris
Hike a quarter mile out to Starr's Cave in Burlington, Iowa, for one of the most unique hikes around. With a half-mile out and back, you can easily hike to the cave, enjoy a small picnic, and be back at the office before your lunch break is over!
10. Wildcat Cave Trail
Wildcat Cave Access, 31504 215th St, Eldora, IA 50627, USA
AllTrails / Christin Cordova
Wildcat Cave is located near Eldora, and the out-and-back trail is just .6 miles of trekking. The cave and river along the way make for a unique outing.
11. Carney Marsh Trail
Carney Marsh Nature Preserve, 580 SE 54th St, Ankeny, IA 50021, USA
AllTrails / Michael Fields
The beautiful Carney Marsh Trail near Ankeny is two miles of stunning scenery. The wildflowers and towering trees make for a peaceful escape from city life.

Where will you go on your next adventure? What are some of your favorite hiking trails in Iowa? Let us know in the comments! And, if you have any pictures from your adventures, feel free to share those with us as well!

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Best Hikes in Iowa

Tori Jane | July 15, 2022

What are the best kid-friendly hikes around Iowa?  

Iowa isn’t exactly the most mountainous place. Thankfully, for those of us who prefer our hiking trips to be nice and easy, Iowa is an excellent place for, well, exactly that. As a result, there are loads of great hiking trails in Iowa perfect for the whole family, thanks to being both brief and quite easy. Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Iowa include the famous Maquoketa Caves Loop, which is just 1.7 miles long and leads to adventure the kids will love (the “Caves” part of its name is a big hint). Another excellent hiking trail in Iowa suitable for kids is the Chute and Heritage Trail Loop, found within the Hitchcock Nature Area, which is a little longer at 2.3 miles but definitely worth it!  

Where are the most amazing scenic hikes in Iowa?  

Of course, there are some trails that are easy, some that are scenic, and some that are both, and honestly, those ones might be our favorites. Some of the most scenic hikes in Iowa – many of which are a little on the long side if you wanted to bring the kiddos – include awe-inspiring treks like the Sycamore Trail at Sycamore Park, a 6.9-mile hike through lush greenery along the water. Nearby is one of the loveliest lakes in Iowa, too, so it’s a double-win! Another excellent scenic hike in Iowa is the one you’ll find at Hickory Hill Park known as the Hickory Hill Loop, which is 2.6 miles long and stunning.  

What are the best easy hikes in Iowa?  

Of course, “easy” doesn’t necessarily need to mean “brief” — there are lots of amazingly scenic hikes in Iowa that may be lengthy but they’re still easy. Hike the Clive Greenbelt Trail for 7.3 miles of beautiful urban greenery and a very satisfying experience overall. Or do the Saylorville Lakeshore Trail at Jester Park, an 8.6-mile trek around Saylorville Lake. For an EXTRA-long adventure, do the High Trestle Trail – it's an amazing 24.9 miles of easygoing, low-key scenery.  

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