If you are in the mood for exploring Iowa’s many natural areas you are in for a treat. We’ve put together a waterfall road trip we think you may enjoy. Since there are so many wonderful waterfalls in Iowa it’s helpful to have a handy dandy map. This trip is just over 400 miles. You’ll see some of the best scenery Iowa has to offer during this 8.5-hour drive.
Here is the interactive Google Map for our waterfall tour in Iowa. If you want to change the route, just click on it and mess around with the order until it pleases you.
You may want to take the weekend to really enjoy this trip. Take a look at the nearby towns and find a cool bed and breakfast or even an Airbnb and make it a long luxurious weekend of sightseeing. Take advantage of this fun road trip idea when you are in need of some outdoor adventures!
Google Maps
- Dunning’s Spring Falls
Jonathan Quinn/Google
PhotoLibrarian/Flickr There are a few waterfalls in northeast Iowa. You’ll start in Decorah and Dunning’s Spring Falls. Take the time to go to the top for the best view. This area is amazing, so stick around and explore a bit. It’s some of the most beautiful and unique terrain in the state. And you can take one of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa here. Take a look at the beautiful scenic views you’ll find on this wonderful waterfall hike in Dunning’s Spring Park in Decorah, Iowa:
203 Quarry St, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
- Siewers Spring Falls
J. D. Adelmund/Flickr Also in Decorah, Dunning’s second waterfall offers some of the best fishing around. It’s on Trout Run Trail, so if you are a fishing enthusiast, you’ll want to bring your gear. Who knows, you might catch lunch! You’ll love spending time at Siewers Spring Falls in Iowa. 2325 Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
- Malanaphy Falls
Paul Herold/Google
Becky Pahl/Google Located in Winneshiek County on the Upper Iowa River, this area is simply breathtaking. It’s not far from the community of Bluffton. Take a short two-mile hike to see Malanaphy Falls and see them in all their magnificence. It’s truly one of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa. 2820 Bluffton Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
- Beulah Spring Falls
Lynn Reihman/Flickr This incredible Iowa waterfall is in Clayton County. It’s close to Spook Cave in McGregor, which is worth the time it takes to tour. It’s the only underground boat tour in the state and it takes passengers through the most amazing ancient caves. Beulah Spring Falls in Iowa is a spectacular place to visit. Lets’s continue our Iowa waterfall tour by watching this spring-fed waterfall in action in this enchanting time-lapse video:
13299 Spook Cave Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
- Bridal Veil Falls
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr Located in the beautiful town of McGregor, this Iowa waterfall is in Pikes Peak State Park. There are a lot of amazing hiking trails here and much of the park is handicapped accessible. The view from the lookout point of the Mississippi River is breathtaking. This is another park you’ll want to plan to spend time exploring. If you’re looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in Iowa, take the one to Bridal Veil Falls. Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
- Macbride Falls
blaidd/Flickr
Mike Willis/Flickr Near the small town of Solon, Macbride Falls is a stunning natural wonder and also one of the most underrated waterfalls in Iowa. Luckily, it’s located very close to a town that’s tiny but full of great restaurants. Let’s take a short but scenic hike to Macbride Lake and waterfalls in this quick video:
Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
- Union Grove Lake Waterfall
Richard Roche/Flickr Next, you’ll head into rural Tama County to Union Grove Lake. Union Grove Lake State Park is located between Waterloo and Marshalltown. And it’s here you’ll find one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iowa. 1215 220th St, Gladbrook, IA 50635, USA
- Willow Creek Waterfall
Dan Huntley/Flickr The last waterfall on the road trip is In Mason City. This one is on private property but you can see it from the bridge on East State Street. It’s quite a lovely waterfall to see! East State Street, E State St, Mason City, IA 50401, USA
There are a few other waterfalls in Iowa worth mentioning as well. Beads Lake in Hampton has a waterfall that is the result of a dam. Iowa Falls has man-made waterfalls that are easy to kayak close to. Also, check out Marble Rock and the man-made waterfall in Mitchell. East of Mason City is the Shell Rock River Falls at Nora Springs.
Google Maps
Jonathan Quinn/Google
PhotoLibrarian/Flickr
There are a few waterfalls in northeast Iowa. You’ll start in Decorah and Dunning’s Spring Falls. Take the time to go to the top for the best view. This area is amazing, so stick around and explore a bit. It’s some of the most beautiful and unique terrain in the state. And you can take one of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa here. Take a look at the beautiful scenic views you’ll find on this wonderful waterfall hike in Dunning’s Spring Park in Decorah, Iowa:
203 Quarry St, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
J. D. Adelmund/Flickr
Also in Decorah, Dunning’s second waterfall offers some of the best fishing around. It’s on Trout Run Trail, so if you are a fishing enthusiast, you’ll want to bring your gear. Who knows, you might catch lunch! You’ll love spending time at Siewers Spring Falls in Iowa.
2325 Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Paul Herold/Google
Becky Pahl/Google
Located in Winneshiek County on the Upper Iowa River, this area is simply breathtaking. It’s not far from the community of Bluffton. Take a short two-mile hike to see Malanaphy Falls and see them in all their magnificence. It’s truly one of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa.
2820 Bluffton Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Lynn Reihman/Flickr
This incredible Iowa waterfall is in Clayton County. It’s close to Spook Cave in McGregor, which is worth the time it takes to tour. It’s the only underground boat tour in the state and it takes passengers through the most amazing ancient caves. Beulah Spring Falls in Iowa is a spectacular place to visit. Lets’s continue our Iowa waterfall tour by watching this spring-fed waterfall in action in this enchanting time-lapse video:
13299 Spook Cave Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr
Located in the beautiful town of McGregor, this Iowa waterfall is in Pikes Peak State Park. There are a lot of amazing hiking trails here and much of the park is handicapped accessible. The view from the lookout point of the Mississippi River is breathtaking. This is another park you’ll want to plan to spend time exploring. If you’re looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in Iowa, take the one to Bridal Veil Falls.
Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
blaidd/Flickr
Mike Willis/Flickr
Near the small town of Solon, Macbride Falls is a stunning natural wonder and also one of the most underrated waterfalls in Iowa. Luckily, it’s located very close to a town that’s tiny but full of great restaurants. Let’s take a short but scenic hike to Macbride Lake and waterfalls in this quick video:
Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
Richard Roche/Flickr
Next, you’ll head into rural Tama County to Union Grove Lake. Union Grove Lake State Park is located between Waterloo and Marshalltown. And it’s here you’ll find one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iowa.
1215 220th St, Gladbrook, IA 50635, USA
Dan Huntley/Flickr
The last waterfall on the road trip is In Mason City. This one is on private property but you can see it from the bridge on East State Street. It’s quite a lovely waterfall to see!
East State Street, E State St, Mason City, IA 50401, USA
What are some of your favorite Iowa waterfalls? Let us know in the comments.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
More waterfalls in Iowa July 15, 2022 Melissa M. What are the best waterfall hikes in Iowa? Some of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa include:
Siewer’s Spring Waterfall Richmond Springs Lake MacBride Waterfall Cedar Falls Dam Boone River Waterfall
If you’re the type who enjoys chasing waterfalls, we have put together the ultimate bucket list for anyone in Iowa who loves waterfall hikes. On this list are the falls you can walk behind at Pikes Peak State Park, the gorgeous waterfall that’s tucked away along the Boone River Trail, and take an easy hike to the lakeside waterfall at Lake MacBride. Are there any waterfall swimming holes in Iowa? There are several waterfall swimming holes in the Hawkeye State. Among the favorites is the waterfall at Beeds Lake State Park. A hike will take you to a man-made waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip in the pool below. What is the largest waterfall in Iowa? Flowing downhill 200 feet, Dunnings Spring Falls is considered the tallest waterfall in the Buckeye State. Don’t forget to check out the Ice Cave when you visit!
The OIYS Visitor Center
More waterfalls in Iowa
July 15, 2022
Melissa M.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Iowa? Some of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa include:
Siewer’s Spring Waterfall Richmond Springs Lake MacBride Waterfall Cedar Falls Dam Boone River Waterfall
If you’re the type who enjoys chasing waterfalls, we have put together the ultimate bucket list for anyone in Iowa who loves waterfall hikes. On this list are the falls you can walk behind at Pikes Peak State Park, the gorgeous waterfall that’s tucked away along the Boone River Trail, and take an easy hike to the lakeside waterfall at Lake MacBride. Are there any waterfall swimming holes in Iowa? There are several waterfall swimming holes in the Hawkeye State. Among the favorites is the waterfall at Beeds Lake State Park. A hike will take you to a man-made waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip in the pool below. What is the largest waterfall in Iowa? Flowing downhill 200 feet, Dunnings Spring Falls is considered the tallest waterfall in the Buckeye State. Don’t forget to check out the Ice Cave when you visit!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best waterfall hikes in Iowa include:
- Siewer’s Spring Waterfall
- Richmond Springs
- Lake MacBride Waterfall
- Cedar Falls Dam
- Boone River Waterfall
If you’re the type who enjoys chasing waterfalls, we have put together the ultimate bucket list for anyone in Iowa who loves waterfall hikes. On this list are the falls you can walk behind at Pikes Peak State Park, the gorgeous waterfall that’s tucked away along the Boone River Trail, and take an easy hike to the lakeside waterfall at Lake MacBride.
Are there any waterfall swimming holes in Iowa?
There are several waterfall swimming holes in the Hawkeye State. Among the favorites is the waterfall at Beeds Lake State Park. A hike will take you to a man-made waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip in the pool below.
What is the largest waterfall in Iowa?
Flowing downhill 200 feet, Dunnings Spring Falls is considered the tallest waterfall in the Buckeye State. Don’t forget to check out the Ice Cave when you visit!
