This Scenic Iowa Trail Is Even Better in the Winter

Pine Lake State Park comprises 668 acres stretched along the banks of the Iowa River near Eldora. The park extends eastward from the river to encompass upper and lower Pine Lake (hence the name), bottomland forest, deep ravines, and outcroppings of exposed sandstone. This park is gorgeous at any time of year, but I would argue that it looks best when wearing a mantle of snow, and the best way to explore it in the winter is by hiking the Pine Lake State Park Recreation Trail.

The Pine Lake State Park Recreation Trail is a 3.9-mile hike, out and back, that starts north of the campground at Swan Pond, traces the shorelines of upper and lower Pine Lake, and traverses the park's wooded bottomlands before ending on the banks of the Iowa River (or vice versa, of course). Along the way, you'll pass through hardwood forests, as well as stands of birch trees and the ancient white pines that gave the lake—and, thus, the park—its name.

This easy hike, which gains a modest 173 feet of elevation over its course, follows a wide, level path that you may find yourself sharing with fatbikers. You may want to consider traction devices for your shoes if the trail looks icy or packed; or, after sufficient snowfall, snowshoes are a good option, as well. Although the park's campground is closed during the winter months, November 1 through March 31, four stone and timber cabins built by the CCC on the banks of the Iowa River are available for booking year-round. Visit the park's reservation page for more information.

If you want to extend your hike, set off on one of the connections when the route intersects with the Hogsback and Wildcat Trails as you approach the Iowa River. Then you can follow the river northward along its rugged banks to Wildcat Cave Wildlife Management Area, which is adjacent to the state park. This is an area where the river bluffs grow even steeper and more dramatic, and the sandstone outcrops tower above the trail. There's also a network of caves in this park that's accessible from a trailhead on the far side of the wildlife area.

With its varied landscape and rolling terrain along a wide, level pathway, I think Pine Lake State Park Recreation Trail serves up one of the best winter hikes in Iowa. Have you hiked this path when there's snow on the ground? What are some other wonderful trails in Iowa that get even more scenic in the wintertime? We'd love to hear about your favorite winter hikes in the Hawkeye State over on our Nomination page.

Are you feeling inspired to get out and enjoy more winter activities in Iowa? If so, pay a visit to Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner and see what it cooks up for you.