Iowa
Nature|Waterfalls

Union Grove Park Is Home To A Hidden Waterfall In Iowa That You’ll Want To Find

Union Grove State Park in Iowa offers hiking, picnicking, swimming, and a hidden waterfall, making it a perfect adventure spot.

Published Aug 27, 2019

Written by 

Kim Magaraci

Are you always on the prowl for a new place to hike, picnic, swim, and explore? The quiet and isolated Union Grove State Park might be your new favorite Iowa adventure spot! Check out the secret waterfall hiding in this gorgeous lake park and you'll be so happy you made the journey all the way to Tama County.

Union Grove State Park is one of Iowa's most underrated natural preserves and you'll find it hidden in the heart of the Hawkeye State.

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Google Local / The One After 909

Iowans come from all over to enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, camping, swimming, and wildlife watching here. It's great for bird watchers and anyone who loves to be out on the water.

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AllTrails / Brad Utterback

One hidden wonder of the park is the Union Grove Waterfall! Take a short walk from the parking area across the creek and you'll spot it.

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AllTrails / Drema Lopez

This beautiful and serene cascade is a great place to relax and enjoy the sound of rushing water.

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AllTrails / Drema Lopez

You can even wade in the water and see the falls up close!

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Google Local / Carl W.

In the fall, this is one of the best places in Iowa for leaf peeping and chilly weather hiking.

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Google Local / Robin Bowen Bentley

Plan a relaxing trip to Union Grove State Park and you'll be treated to an underrated natural wonder that will capture your heart.

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Google Local / Jason Euchner

Have you ever had the pleasure of hiking around Union Grove State Park? Each of the trails takes you into another world, and you'll find that it's the perfect spot for a family cookout or camping trip. Visit AllTrails for an easy to use park trail guide.

Address: 1215 220th Street, Gladbrook, IA, 50635

If you love finding Iowa's beautiful waterfalls, plan a journey and gather a group to embark on The Ultimate Iowa Waterfalls Road Trip!

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Stunning Top-Secret Waterfall In Iowa Nobody’s Ever Heard Of

Published Aug 2, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Decorah is one of Iowa's most beautiful small towns, combining a wonderful small-town atmosphere and a rich cultural history with some stunning natural sites only minutes from downtown. When you talk about Decorah and waterfalls, almost everyone's mind immediately goes to Dunnings Spring Falls - and we can't blame them! It's definitely one of the state's most beautiful sights. But did you know there's a secret waterfall in Iowa only minutes from that park, and it's easy to find with only a short hike? Welcome to Twin Springs Park, one of the most relaxing and beautiful city parks in Iowa. It's best seen with a 0.8-mile loop trail, the Twin Springs Headwaters Loop Trail, which will take you right by a charming waterfall. We think it's a great way to spend a peaceful summer day and beat the crowds and the heat!

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One of the most laid-back parks in Iowa, Twin Springs Park is perfect for a hot summer day.

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Nick Chill/Google Local

The park is a small area just outside of Decorah, and it's an ideal spot for a quick summer hike followed by a cookout. It's a dog-friendly park if you have fido on a leash.

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Darrin Ochsner/google Local

The small park only has one trail, an easy 0.8-mile loop trail. Just follow it along the creek...

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Darrin Ochsner/Google Local

And you'll come to a beautiful, tiny waterfall that makes an incredibly peaceful photo opportunity.

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Tom Huffman/Google Local

There will rarely be anyone around except on the busiest days - but you might get some local company from the woods and the trout anglers targeting the holes along the stream.

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Nick Chill/Google Local

This park only takes a short time to explore, but it's well worth sticking around for a beautiful sunset by the falls.

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Logan Strom/AllTrails

Have you visited Twin Springs Park in Decorah and seen this beautiful secret waterfall in Iowa? Let us know about your visit in the comments section! If you want to see more pictures of the trail, make sure to visit the AllTrails trail listing. If you love hiking, consider a subscription to AllTrails Plus. The mobile app is remarkably convenient for hiking in remote areas, thanks to its downloadable trail maps with step-by-step instructions. And if you're looking for a memorable night out in Decorah after your hike, check out nearby Twin Springs Supper Club.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Union Grove Lake Lower Loop Is One Of The Best Waterfall Hikes In Iowa

Published Jul 3, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Some of my favorite hikes are those that include the best waterfalls in Iowa. These cascades are scattered around the state, and some take a pretty long and intense hike to reach. One that doesn't is located in Union Grove State Park, a beautiful rural haven about 65 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids. This laid-back park is home to maybe the best waterfall hike in Iowa, the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop. Coming in at only 2.3 miles, this easy loop trail is an ideal day adventure for beginner hikers and is full of beautiful sights even before you get to the park's famous spillway. We find this is an amazing hike any time of the year, because it's so accessible to all skill levels. Read on to discover why this hike belongs on your state park bucket list!

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Union Grove State Park is one of those laid-back hidden gems that's great for hiking, sight-seeing, and even camping.

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Jason Sydejko/AllTrails

There are two main trails here, and the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop trail is an easy 2.3-mile loop trail that's suitable for all skill levels.

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Darrin Ochsner/AllTrails

The trail is most popular in the summer, when the lake is at its most beautiful and is ripe for recreation.

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Le Cox/AllTrails

The highlight here, though, is probably the park's famous, small waterfall - a beautiful sight.

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Valerie Boelman/AllTrails

A small spillway, it's one of the most beautiful sights in the park and offers a great photo op for visitors.

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Daniel Valencia/AllTrails

While more people visit during warm weather, it's uniquely peaceful in the winter, as well, when it's frozen solid.

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Jon Day/AllTrails

Have you hiked the Union Grove Lake Lower Loop before? What's your favorite waterfall hike in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can see more pictures of this trail on its official AllTrails trail listing, and visit the Union Grove State Park website for more information about this laid-back park's many amenities. And if you're looking to build up to more challenging hikes, we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails +, so you'll always be equipped with downloadable trail guides and step-by-step directions, no matter how remote things get.

Looking for a unique place to eat around this area? Head to the nearby community of Marshalltown for The Flying Elbow, an over-the-top, wrestling-themed restaurant.

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