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Iowa State Parks

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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 West Des Moines
Feb 17 - Feb 24
$136 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms
Family Friendly Vacation Home in West Des Moines with Yard & Grill
5.0
"Excellent" (23 ratings)
West Des Moines, Dallas County, Iowa
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Vrbo
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Cabin Decorah
Mar 25 - Apr 1
$536 per night
Cabin ∙ 12 guests ∙ 5 bedrooms
Cabin in Decorah with Grill & Yard
4.9
"Excellent" (31 ratings)
Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
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Vrbo
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Cabin Lansing
Oct 14 - Oct 21
$75 per night
Cabin ∙ 4 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Cabin in Lansing with Grill
5.0
"Excellent" (109 ratings)
Lansing, Allamakee County, Iowa
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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.

Best Places to Stay for State Parks in Iowa

House Backbone State Park
Mar 9 - Mar 16
-18%
$135
$111 per night
House ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
Entire House in Strawberry Point with Grill
5.0
"Excellent" (16 ratings)
Backbone State Park, Richland, Iowa, United States
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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

Cabin Maquoketa Caves State Park
Apr 22 - Apr 29
-39%
$325
$198 per night
Cabin ∙ 10 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Charming Vacation Home in Spragueville with Ample Parking
4.3
"Very good" (30 ratings)
Maquoketa Caves State Park, Jackson County, Iowa, United States
Details
Evolve
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Apartment Maquoketa Caves State Park
Mar 9 - Mar 16
-22%
$142
$110 per night
Apartment ∙ 4 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Rental Apartment in Spragueville with Ample Parking
4.6
"Outstanding" (15 ratings)
Maquoketa Caves State Park, Jackson County, Iowa, United States
Details
Evolve
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Cabin Maquoketa Caves State Park
Sep 16 - Sep 23
-36%
$326
$210 per night
Cabin ∙ 12 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms
House in Spragueville with Ample Parking
4.5
"Outstanding" (20 ratings)
Maquoketa Caves State Park, Jackson County, Iowa, United States
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Evolve
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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

Cabin Coon Rapids
Apr 23 - Apr 30
$97 per night
Cabin ∙ 6 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Cabin in Coon Rapids with Vegetable Garden
5.0
"Excellent" (60 ratings)
Coon Rapids, Orange, Iowa
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Cabin Fort Atkinson
Feb 10 - Feb 17
$168 per night
Cabin ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
Cabin in Fort Atkinson with Yard & Grill
5.0
"Excellent" (249 ratings)
Fort Atkinson, Washington, Iowa
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House Indianola
May 18 - May 25
$119 per night
House ∙ 2 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
House in Indianola with Grill + Beautiful Views
5.0
"Excellent" (128 ratings)
Indianola, Warren County, Iowa
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Frequently Asked Questions

Iowa State Parks: How much does it cost to rent a vacation rental in Iowa?

The average cost for a rental in Iowa is between $139 and $206 per night.

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

The size of a House rental is 165 m² and may fit 8 people on average which is great for large groups.

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

You can browse 822 Apartment rental and 1,414 House rental for Iowa State Parks on HomeToGo.

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