If you’ve resolved to stay active this year, why not start with one of the best winter hikes in Iowa? You’ll find serenity and scenery along the way, and fresh snow certainly makes a unique setting out of our favorite parks. Bundle up, grab your favorite winter hiking gear, and head outside because the only way to survive winter in Iowa is to embrace it!
- Gray’s Lake Park, Des Moines
Flickr / Michael Leland Head to Gray’s Lake Park to enjoy the peace and quiet of the lake even though it’s in our busiest city. In the winter, you can enjoy views of the iced-over water from the bridge, or snowshoe around the lake. 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
- Carney Marsh Nature Preserve, Ankeny
Flickr / Carl Wycoff There’s a lot to discover at Carney Marsh Nature Preserve. Catch beautiful and icy water views, or make your way through snowy trails. You’ll find peace, quiet, and plenty of bird watching and wildlife waiting for you. It’s a tranquil place to do some winter hiking in Iowa. 580 SE 54th St, Ankeny, IA 50021, USA
- Jester Park, Granger
Facebook / Polk County Conservation Jester Park is one of the busier parks on this list, but you’ll still find it much quieter in the winter! If you’re looking for things to do in the winter in Iowa, come here and rent snowshoes or cross country skis from the park. You can then head out to discover a unique ecosystem and a well maintained network of trails. 12130 NW 128th St, Granger, IA 50109, USA
- Dolliver Memorial State Park, Lehigh
Flickr / David Morris The beautiful Dolliver Memorial State Park shows off the cliffs and bluffs of the Des Moines River along Prairie Creek. In the winter, it’s a quiet retreat where you can enjoy Iowa’s natural beauty. 2757 Dolliver Park Ave, Lehigh, IA 50557, USA
- Yellow River State Forest, Harper’s Ferry
Flickr / J F Yellow River State Forest is an 8,000-acre preserve located in the Driftless region, adjacent to Effigy Mounds National Monument. This dense forest offers miles and miles of hiking trails, and you won’t see a soul if you hike here in the middle of Iowa’s winter. It’s one of the best places for cold weather hiking in Iowa. 729 State Forest Rd, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146, USA
- High Trestle Trail Bridge, Madrid
Flickr / Tony Webster One of the more inviting of these Iowa winter hikes is the High Trestle Trail Bridge. While it can get very windy and chilly, the views are worth it! Cross the Des Moines river along this famous, lighted bridge and you’ll take in scenes you won’t soon forget. High Trestle Trail, Iowa, USA
- Pikes Peak, McGregor
Flickr / Scott Smithson Finally, Pikes Peak is the final Iowa winter hike on this list. There’s no better view in the Midwest, so plan to visit in the winter and peek out over the mighty Mississippi in the middle of the most brutal season. It’s one of the best things to do in the winter in Iowa. 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Where do you plan on hiking this winter? Have you been on any of the best hiking trails in Iowa? Tell us your favorite Iowa winter hikes in the comments below!
Flickr / Michael Leland
Head to Gray’s Lake Park to enjoy the peace and quiet of the lake even though it’s in our busiest city. In the winter, you can enjoy views of the iced-over water from the bridge, or snowshoe around the lake.
2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
Flickr / Carl Wycoff
There’s a lot to discover at Carney Marsh Nature Preserve. Catch beautiful and icy water views, or make your way through snowy trails. You’ll find peace, quiet, and plenty of bird watching and wildlife waiting for you. It’s a tranquil place to do some winter hiking in Iowa.
580 SE 54th St, Ankeny, IA 50021, USA
Facebook / Polk County Conservation
Jester Park is one of the busier parks on this list, but you’ll still find it much quieter in the winter! If you’re looking for things to do in the winter in Iowa, come here and rent snowshoes or cross country skis from the park. You can then head out to discover a unique ecosystem and a well maintained network of trails.
12130 NW 128th St, Granger, IA 50109, USA
Flickr / David Morris
The beautiful Dolliver Memorial State Park shows off the cliffs and bluffs of the Des Moines River along Prairie Creek. In the winter, it’s a quiet retreat where you can enjoy Iowa’s natural beauty.
2757 Dolliver Park Ave, Lehigh, IA 50557, USA
Flickr / J F
Yellow River State Forest is an 8,000-acre preserve located in the Driftless region, adjacent to Effigy Mounds National Monument. This dense forest offers miles and miles of hiking trails, and you won’t see a soul if you hike here in the middle of Iowa’s winter. It’s one of the best places for cold weather hiking in Iowa.
729 State Forest Rd, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146, USA
Flickr / Tony Webster
One of the more inviting of these Iowa winter hikes is the High Trestle Trail Bridge. While it can get very windy and chilly, the views are worth it! Cross the Des Moines river along this famous, lighted bridge and you’ll take in scenes you won’t soon forget.
High Trestle Trail, Iowa, USA
Flickr / Scott Smithson
Finally, Pikes Peak is the final Iowa winter hike on this list. There’s no better view in the Midwest, so plan to visit in the winter and peek out over the mighty Mississippi in the middle of the most brutal season. It’s one of the best things to do in the winter in Iowa.
32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Check out our list of fun winter activities in Iowa for more ways to make the most out of the chilly months.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes In Iowa December 12, 2021 Melissa M. Where can I go snow tubing in Iowa? There are some great spots to go snow tubing in Iowa, like:
Seven Oaks Recreation Area Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
What are some of the best things to do in winter in Iowa? There’s plenty of things to do in winter in Iowa! Aside from winter hiking and snow tubing, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Jester Park Equestrian Center in Granger which is quite a magical experience. Day trips in Iowa also offer something different to do during the season. Where can I go ice skating in Iowa? You can go ice skating in Iowa at:
Brenton Skating Plaza Coral Ridge Mall
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes In Iowa
December 12, 2021
Melissa M.
Where can I go snow tubing in Iowa? There are some great spots to go snow tubing in Iowa, like:
Seven Oaks Recreation Area Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
What are some of the best things to do in winter in Iowa? There’s plenty of things to do in winter in Iowa! Aside from winter hiking and snow tubing, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Jester Park Equestrian Center in Granger which is quite a magical experience. Day trips in Iowa also offer something different to do during the season. Where can I go ice skating in Iowa? You can go ice skating in Iowa at:
Brenton Skating Plaza Coral Ridge Mall
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are some great spots to go snow tubing in Iowa, like:
- Seven Oaks Recreation Area
- Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
What are some of the best things to do in winter in Iowa?
There’s plenty of things to do in winter in Iowa! Aside from winter hiking and snow tubing, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Jester Park Equestrian Center in Granger which is quite a magical experience. Day trips in Iowa also offer something different to do during the season.
Where can I go ice skating in Iowa?
You can go ice skating in Iowa at:
- Brenton Skating Plaza
- Coral Ridge Mall
