The Hawkeye State has some amazing hidden destinations, beautiful backroads, and natural wonders that make for amazing scenic drives. There are too many to do in one weekend – so why not spread them out over an entire year? These twelve scenic drives in Iowa aren’t just great views out the window – they’ll show you some of Iowa’s best historical sites and cultural destinations. While all of them can be enjoyed any time of the year, some beg to be explored at that perfect time of year to see them at their absolute best.
January - Glacial Trail
TravelIowa This 36-mile trail through one of the most fascinating geological regions of the state is especially stunning in winter, when the snow-capped hills call back to the ancient past. Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, 1298 500th St #1200, Peterson, IA 51047, USA
February - River Bluffs Scenic Byway
TravelIowa A 109-mile trip through some of Iowa’s best small towns like McGregor and Guttenberg, this is one of the most romantic drives in the state - perfect for Valentine’s Day. River Bluffs Drive, River Bluffs Dr, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, USA
March - Loess Hills Scenic Byway
Management/TripAdvisor As the landscape comes alive again in the early spring, there is no better time to visit the geological marvel of the Loess Hills - a hilly destination in the middle of the prairie. Loess Hills Scenic Overlook, Oak Ave, Moorhead, IA 51558, USA
April - Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
TravelIowa This is the route traveled to Utah by roughly 70,000 Mormons between 18446 and 1869, and following its Iowa leg makes a perfect spring adventure - complete with stops at unique museums along the way. Mormon Trail, Iowa, USA
May - Grant Wood Scenic Byway
Management/TripAdvisor Another ideal spring adventure is following this 75-mile path that inspired the famous paintings of Iowa’s most acclaimed artist. You’ll feel like some of the vistas came right off the canvas. Grant Wood Trail, Marion, IA 52302, USA
June - Driftless Area Scenic Byway
TravelIowa A 144-mile stretch in northeastern Iowa, this is the only area of Iowa that wasn’t affected by glacial drift - and its unique landscape makes it a great place for outdoor recreation. Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge, Elkader, IA 52043, USA
July - Great River Road
TravelIowa The Great River Road travels along the Mississippi River, and the scenic views are truly stunning. That makes it the perfect drive for the height of the summer. Great River Road, Great River Rd, Lansing, IA, USA
August - Iowa’s Czech Trail
Bohemian Plum Festival Band Concerts Clutier, Iowa/Facebook Iowa has a rich Czech heritage, and this trail through Tama County is ideal for August - because when you stop in tiny Clutier for the Bohemian Plum Festival, you’ll enjoy the best music and food around. Clutier, IA 52217, USA
September - Historic Hills Scenic Byway
TravelIowa The small village of Bentonsport is the heart of this scenic drive - and there is no better time to see it than when the leaves begin to turn. Bentonsport, IA 52565, USA
October - Iowa Valley Scenic Byway
TravelIowa This drive takes you through many small towns - but none more distinct than the Amana Colonies. Taking it during this month means you might get to experience Amana’s famous Oktoberfest. Amana Colonies, 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA 52203, USA
November - White Pole Road
TravelIowa Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take some time to explore Iowa’s backroads. The historic white poles along this 26-mile ride are among the state’s most distinctive sights. White Pole Road, White Pole Rd, Stuart, IA, USA
December - Covered Bridges Scenic Byway
Brenda M/TripAdvisor The best place for an old-fashioned Christmas in Iowa is Winterset, and this tour of the famous covered bridges of Madison County is even better when they’re covered in snow. Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, 73 W Jefferson St, Winterset, IA 50273, USA
Which of these scenic drives in Iowa are you most excited to take? Tell us about your travel plans for the new year in the comments section. While most of these locations can be visited any time of year, make sure to keep up on the Facebook page of the Bohemian Plum Festival. For another fun adventure in Iowa, don’t miss this epic festival slide.
TravelIowa
This 36-mile trail through one of the most fascinating geological regions of the state is especially stunning in winter, when the snow-capped hills call back to the ancient past.
Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, 1298 500th St #1200, Peterson, IA 51047, USA
A 109-mile trip through some of Iowa’s best small towns like McGregor and Guttenberg, this is one of the most romantic drives in the state - perfect for Valentine’s Day.
River Bluffs Drive, River Bluffs Dr, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
As the landscape comes alive again in the early spring, there is no better time to visit the geological marvel of the Loess Hills - a hilly destination in the middle of the prairie.
Loess Hills Scenic Overlook, Oak Ave, Moorhead, IA 51558, USA
This is the route traveled to Utah by roughly 70,000 Mormons between 18446 and 1869, and following its Iowa leg makes a perfect spring adventure - complete with stops at unique museums along the way.
Mormon Trail, Iowa, USA
Another ideal spring adventure is following this 75-mile path that inspired the famous paintings of Iowa’s most acclaimed artist. You’ll feel like some of the vistas came right off the canvas.
Grant Wood Trail, Marion, IA 52302, USA
A 144-mile stretch in northeastern Iowa, this is the only area of Iowa that wasn’t affected by glacial drift - and its unique landscape makes it a great place for outdoor recreation.
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge, Elkader, IA 52043, USA
The Great River Road travels along the Mississippi River, and the scenic views are truly stunning. That makes it the perfect drive for the height of the summer.
Great River Road, Great River Rd, Lansing, IA, USA
Bohemian Plum Festival Band Concerts Clutier, Iowa/Facebook
Iowa has a rich Czech heritage, and this trail through Tama County is ideal for August - because when you stop in tiny Clutier for the Bohemian Plum Festival, you’ll enjoy the best music and food around.
Clutier, IA 52217, USA
The small village of Bentonsport is the heart of this scenic drive - and there is no better time to see it than when the leaves begin to turn.
Bentonsport, IA 52565, USA
This drive takes you through many small towns - but none more distinct than the Amana Colonies. Taking it during this month means you might get to experience Amana’s famous Oktoberfest.
Amana Colonies, 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA 52203, USA
Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take some time to explore Iowa’s backroads. The historic white poles along this 26-mile ride are among the state’s most distinctive sights.
White Pole Road, White Pole Rd, Stuart, IA, USA
Brenda M/TripAdvisor
The best place for an old-fashioned Christmas in Iowa is Winterset, and this tour of the famous covered bridges of Madison County is even better when they’re covered in snow.
Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, 73 W Jefferson St, Winterset, IA 50273, USA
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