Iowa State Parks - HomeToGo base64Hash Iowa State Parks - HomeToGo

Iowa State Parks

Iowa
Anytime
Guests
Iowa
Anytime
Guests

Choose the perfect vacation rental

Price per night
Up to $100
$100 - $199
From $200
Rating
4.5+
4+

Iowa's State Parks Are Its Best-Kept Secret

With Native American meeting places, ancient caves, and gorges waiting to be rappeled, Iowa's state park system is burgeoning with enlivening experiences. Watch bald eagles soaring overhead, whitewater raft on the state's rushing rivers, or sink into a slower pace of life on its lakeside beaches. Read on to discover more about the unmissable experiences promised by the state's best-kept secret.

State Parks in Iowa: Top Accommodations

House Lansing
May 3 - May 10
$163 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Family Friendly House in Lansing with Patio, Yard & Grill + River View

5.0
Outstanding (185 ratings)
Lansing, Allamakee County, Iowa
View deal
View deal
House Urbandale
Mar 30 - Apr 6
$235 per night
House ∙ 12 guests ∙ 5 bedrooms

Wonderful House in Urbandale with Outside Pool

3.5
Good (18 ratings)
Urbandale, Webster, Iowa
View deal
View deal
House Lansing
Mar 30 - Apr 6
$269 per night
House ∙ 14 guests ∙ 5 bedrooms

Charming House in Lansing with Grill, Patio & Yard + Gorgeous Views

5.0
Outstanding (107 ratings)
Lansing, Allamakee County, Iowa
View deal
View deal
The Best Iowa State Parks for Families

The Best Iowa State Parks for Families

From winter cross-country skiing to eagle spotting and pleasure boating, Iowa's state parks promise thrilling entertainment for families. Come and meet indigenous wildlife, have a go at archery, or marvel at a Native American burial ground. Here's where you'll find Iowa's most exciting family days out:

  • 1. Yellow River State Forest

    Families will find that the canoe trails at Yellow River are the easiest to paddle in the state, though there are enough rapids to keep things interesting. As the river snakes through the park, you'll enjoy views of picturesque bluffs and woodland. Every five miles or so, there are boat launches, so you can stop off whenever you like for a picnic or wildlife watching. These 9,000 acres of parkland are a vast playground for hiking, hunting, and skiing in the wintertime.

  • 2. Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

    A unique park that satisfies explorers and animal lovers alike, this 1,300-acre park is home to a veritable Noah's ark of animals. Bobcats and deer scurry through its meadows, while bald eagles and hawks hover overhead. Try your hand at archery, or take mountain bikes into the wilderness.

  • 3. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

    Some 20 Native American burial grounds draw crowds to this stunning 1,600-acre park, which is also home to a historic pioneer river crossing. Many of the trees in the park date back to those days. After hiking to explore this unique scenery, take a boat out, or swim in the 30-acre lake.

The Best Iowa State Parks for Hiking

The Best Iowa State Parks for Hiking

Plunging gorges, stunning caves, coyotes, and beavers are some of the attractions of hikes in Iowa's state parks. Here are some of the most impactful hikes in the state:

  • 1. Springbrook State Park

    Almost 1,000 acres of parkland combines wide-open prairies with dense forests. Trails transport you to some of Iowa's most enthralling wildlife areas. If you're lucky, you'll spy beaver, deer, coyotes, and waterfowl in these parts. Explore 20 miles of meandering trails and be sure to bring your camera phone.

  • 2. Waubonsie State Park

    Sequestered in the Loess Hills, this state park is blessed with seven miles of hiking trails and eight miles of bridleway. Go on a journey through some of Iowa's most diverse landscapes, including dramatic gorges and fertile valleys. Interpretive trails alert you to wildlife and geological features unique to the area, and you can also embark on hikes along the enthralling Lewis and Clark Historical Trail. New points of interest await around every bend.

  • 3. Maquoketa Caves State Park

    Wanderings in this intriguing state park yield visions of stalactite-adorned cave interiors, museum exhibits showcasing ancient Native American curios, and settler history. Six miles of wildflower-lined trails lead to fascinating geological marvels such as the Dugout and Dancehall caves. Discover prairie land and savanna chirruping with wildlife, the 50-foot high Natural Bridge over Raccoon Creek, and the precipitous Balanced Rock.

Recommended Accommodations for State Parks in Iowa

House Maquoketa Caves State Park
Mar 9 - Mar 16
$230 per night
House ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Vacation Home in Maquoketa with Yard & Grill

Maquoketa Caves State Park, Jackson County, Iowa, United States
View deal
View deal
House Maquoketa Caves State Park
Oct 12 - Oct 19
$296 per night
House ∙ 4 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms

House in Maquoketa

5.0
Outstanding (1 rating)
Maquoketa Caves State Park, Jackson County, Iowa, United States
View deal
View deal
Cabin Maquoketa Caves State Park
Apr 13 - Apr 20
$230 per night
Cabin ∙ 6 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms

Beautiful Cabin in Bernard with Grill & Yard + Nature Views

5.0
Outstanding (7 ratings)
Maquoketa Caves State Park, Jackson County, Iowa, United States
View deal
View deal
The Best Iowa State Parks for Adventure Sports

The Best Iowa State Parks for Adventure Sports

With watersports or mountain wanderings, intrepid voyages or natural assault courses, the state parks of Iowa hold almost endless adventures for sports fans. Here are some of the most bounteous:

  • 1. Elk Rock State Park

    Iowa's largest lake is so vast that it deserves multiple trips to its remoter coves and inlets. It's also a haven for watersports fans. Paddle through serene backwaters and spot migrating birdlife in its wetlands. Kayakers, sailors, anglers, and jetskiers make waves on Lake Red Rock, an unforgettable pleasure boating paradise.

  • 2. Backbone State Park

    Rappel down limestone ledges or scramble up rock faces in Backbone State Park, where a spine-like range of mountains make the perfect assault course for adventure addicts. Meanwhile, the Maquoketa River ribbons sinuously through a lush valley, offering visitors scenic fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.

  • 3. Lake of the Three Fires State Park

    Canter through history at this thrilling state park, which was once a rendezvous for Native American tribes. Snowmobiles replace horses in the wintertime, while hunting and fishing are popular in season. Summertime attracts visitors to the sandy beaches of the lake and the volleyball courts. Nearly 700 acres of woodland are stitched with hiking trails, and there's an elegant golf course to be played in nearby Bedford.

Top Offers for State Parks in Iowa

Condo Arnolds Park
Mar 30 - Apr 6
-65%
$495
$175 per night
Condo ∙ 10 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms

Lovely Condo in Arnolds Park with Outdoor Pool + Unobstructed Views

5.0
Outstanding (55 ratings)
Arnolds Park, Center Grove, Iowa
View deal
View deal
House Clarion
Nov 2 - Nov 9
$194 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Vacation Home in Clarion with Yard, Grill & Patio

5.0
Outstanding (24 ratings)
Clarion, Lake, Iowa
View deal
View deal
Cabin Larchwood
Jan 25 - Feb 1
$364 per night
Cabin ∙ 10 guests ∙ 5 bedrooms

Cabin in Larchwood with Open Balcony

5.0
Outstanding (375 ratings)
Larchwood, Lyon County, Iowa
View deal
View deal
2024-americas-best-customer-service-newsweek-statista-award

Information about Iowa State Parks

💳 Highest rates in August
😎 Least busy month March
🛏️ Popular home types Apartment rental and House rental
🌡️ Hottest months 88 °F in July and August
❄️ Coldest months 14 °F in January and February
🌧️ Rainiest months 18 rainy days in January and February

Frequently Asked Questions

Iowa State Parks: What is the cost per night?

HomeToGo offers incredible rentals for Iowa State Parks, with prices as low as $56 per night.

Can I find a vacation rental for a group of guests for Iowa State Parks?

The size of a House rental is 178 m² and may fit 9 guests on average which is great for large groups.

What kinds of vacation rentals are available for Iowa State Parks?

We would suggest browsing our incredible selection of House rental and Apartment rental for Iowa State Parks.

The Weather in Iowa

max.
Min.
34°
14°
18 days 18
max.
Min.
34°
18°
16 days 16
max.
Min.
52°
32°
14 days 14
max.
Min.
63°
43°
15 days 15
max.
Min.
73°
54°
16 days 16
max.
Min.
84°
64°
13 days 13
max.
Min.
88°
68°
10 days 10
max.
Min.
86°
66°
11 days 11
max.
Min.
79°
57°
8 days 8
max.
Min.
64°
45°
9 days 9
max.
Min.
50°
30°
11 days 11
max.
Min.
39°
23°
16 days 16
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
- Rainy days

Average Nightly Rental Prices in Iowa

Click on any bar to see price and availability information

Vacation Rental Price Information in Iowa

Vacation Rental Availability in Iowa

Rental availability information in Iowa

Iowa State Parks Inspiration

Show more

Other Popular Destinations for State Parks

Top Vacation Ideas in Iowa

Show more

Explore More Vacation Ideas

Show more
image-tag