This Scenic Riverfront Cabin Sits Near Iowa’s Effigy Mounds

The Hawkeye State's premier National Park Service unit is, without a doubt, Effigy Mounds National Monument. Although relatively compact, there's enough to this beautiful, historical park that you'll need at least a couple of days to explore it—and the surrounding area. Although there are a few hotel options in the area, I don't think you'll do better than this riverfront Airbnb in Harpers Ferry, Iowa, when it comes to setting up a northeast Iowa basecamp. It's the perfect place for staging your Effigy Mounds adventures.

The park soars over the Mississippi River and covers more than 2,500 acres across the towering, forested bluffs of northeast Iowa. The focal point of the monument is, of course, the cultural heritage of the earthen mounds left behind by a pre-Columbian society that dwelled in this part of the upper Mississippi River valley many centuries ago. More than 200 of the prehistoric mounds are scattered across the landscape here. Some of them are small, simple, round mounds, while others are massive and often shaped like creatures that shared these forests with the mound builders, such as bears and birds. In addition to the park's cultural aspects, its hiking opportunities are a huge draw. A well-developed and maintained network of trails criss-crosses the hills and valleys of Effigy Mounds National Monument.

When you've hiked and explored 'til your heart's content, all you need to do is drive just minutes outside the park, near the town of Harpers Ferry, where you'll find a three-bedroom, two-bath cottage perched right on the banks of the Mississippi River. You can bring your family or as many as nine friends for a cozy getaway in this riverfront home, or keep it smaller and spread out across the property's generous indoor and outdoor spaces.

The home's interior is warm and rich in natural wood. The wall paneling and furniture aptly evoke a lake (river) cabin vibe. Indoors, there's plenty of seating, as well as ample space for gathering. A well-appointed kitchen is perfect for meal preparation or snack making and offers a counter that doubles as another social space in the home.

Outside, you'll find a large deck on the second story, perfect for relaxing with a book, a glass of wine, or a sunrise cup of coffee. On the lower level, a patio sits just above the river's edge, where you can relax and enjoy views out over the river to Wisconsin. After a day of hiking at Effigy Mounds or exploring nearby Pikes Peak State Park, you can slip into the riverfront hot tub and watch the stars wheel up from the eastern horizon.

Effigy Mounds should be on the bucket list of anybody who loves to explore the Hawkeye State, and this wonderful riverfront cottage in Harpers Ferry should be on your itinerary. Head over to the property's listing on Airbnb to make your reservations and see more pictures. Have you visited Effigy Mounds National Monument? We'd love to hear about your favorite places in the area.

Visit Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to find even more adventures in the Hawkeye State.