Iowa is full of hidden gems and secret treasures, and our state has so many surprises to offer both weekend visitors and lifelong residents alike. We have everything from towering cliffs to mysterious caves, to sandy beaches and bright blue lakes – but if you travel a little bit further and look a little bit harder, you’ll find that Iowa has something quite unexpected and absolutely magical indeed: waterfalls! If you feel like doing a little exploring soon, you’ll want to check out these amazing hidden waterfalls in Iowa:
- Union Grove Lake Waterfall
Jason Sydejko/AllTrails Tucked away in Tama County, between Marshalltown and Waterloo, Union Grove Lake is a recreational haven that offers one of the most beautiful sights in the state: this completely stunning waterfall. Union Grove Lake Waterfall, 1215 220th Street, Gladbrook, Iowa, 50635
- Beulah Spring Falls
photolibrarian/Flickr Located in Clayton County, this magical, mossy waterfall can be seen on your next visit to Spook Cave in McGregor. Visit the Spook Cave website to plan your visit. Beulah Spring Falls, 13299 Spook Cave Road, McGregor, Iowa, 52157
- Malanaphy Spring Falls
JPF/Google Located in Winneshiek County, Malanaphy Spring Falls is one of Iowa’s most beautiful waterfalls. You can find this gem on the Upper Iowa River near Bluffton.
Take a very quick look at this beautiful mossy waterfall in this video:
Malanaphy Spring Falls, 2820 Bluffton Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
- Macbride Falls
Rich Herrmann/Flickr Located at Lake Macbride State Park near Solon, Macbride Falls offers a stunning sight to see on your next trip to the area. Visit this website for more information, or for things you’ll need to plan your trip or reserve a campground.
Let’s take a closer look at the Lake Mcbride Waterfall in Solon, Iowa:
Macbride Falls, 3525 Highway 382 NE, Solon, Iowa, 52333
- Willow Creek Waterfall
Travel Iowa Located behind the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Mason City, the Willow Creek Waterfall offers a sense of peace and tranquility that is hard to find in today’s busy lifestyle. For more information about the falls, visit Travel Iowa. Willow Creek Waterfall, Iowa, USA
- Briggs Woods/Boone River Waterfall
Sarah Cady/Flickr Located on the Boone River near Webster City, this secret waterfall is relaxing, as well as beautiful. Briggs Woods/Boone River Waterfall, 2450-2498 Briggs Woods Road, Webster City, Iowa, 50595
- Dunning’s Spring Falls
Matthew Olson/Google Also located in Winneshiek County, Dunning’s Spring Falls in Decorah is like something out of a fairy tale - so much so, that this spot is a popular favorite for Iowa weddings. Dunning’s Spring Falls, Ice Cave Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101
- Duck Creek Waterfall/Devils Glen
Sarah/Flickr Located within Devils Glen Park in Bettendorf, Duck Creek Waterfall is a great place to go when you want to get away from it all. While you are in Bettendorf checking out the Duck Creek Waterfall, be sure to stop by the Duck Creek Pancake House - a local favorite. Duck Creek Waterfall, 1101 Devils Glen Road, Bettendorf, Iowa, 52722
- Siewer’s Spring Waterfall
Travel Iowa Probably one of the most beautiful spots in the state, Siewer’s Spring Waterfall in Decorah is also a great spot for fishing, due to its position on Trout Run Trail.
Take a closer look (and listen) to the lovely Siewers Spring Waterfall in this cool timelapse video:
Siewer’s Spring Waterfall, 2325 Siewers Spring Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
Iowa has so much to offer if you just take the time to look. Now that we’ve spilled the beans about these hidden Iowa waterfalls, you’ll be spotting new ones all the time. If you find any hiking trails in Iowa with waterfalls or know of any more secret waterfalls in Iowa share them with us!
Jason Sydejko/AllTrails
Tucked away in Tama County, between Marshalltown and Waterloo, Union Grove Lake is a recreational haven that offers one of the most beautiful sights in the state: this completely stunning waterfall.
Union Grove Lake Waterfall, 1215 220th Street, Gladbrook, Iowa, 50635
photolibrarian/Flickr
Located in Clayton County, this magical, mossy waterfall can be seen on your next visit to Spook Cave in McGregor. Visit the Spook Cave website to plan your visit.
Beulah Spring Falls, 13299 Spook Cave Road, McGregor, Iowa, 52157
JPF/Google
Located in Winneshiek County, Malanaphy Spring Falls is one of Iowa’s most beautiful waterfalls. You can find this gem on the Upper Iowa River near Bluffton.
Take a very quick look at this beautiful mossy waterfall in this video:
Malanaphy Spring Falls, 2820 Bluffton Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
Rich Herrmann/Flickr
Located at Lake Macbride State Park near Solon, Macbride Falls offers a stunning sight to see on your next trip to the area. Visit this website for more information, or for things you’ll need to plan your trip or reserve a campground.
Let’s take a closer look at the Lake Mcbride Waterfall in Solon, Iowa:
Macbride Falls, 3525 Highway 382 NE, Solon, Iowa, 52333
Travel Iowa
Located behind the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Mason City, the Willow Creek Waterfall offers a sense of peace and tranquility that is hard to find in today’s busy lifestyle. For more information about the falls, visit Travel Iowa.
Willow Creek Waterfall, Iowa, USA
Sarah Cady/Flickr
Located on the Boone River near Webster City, this secret waterfall is relaxing, as well as beautiful.
Briggs Woods/Boone River Waterfall, 2450-2498 Briggs Woods Road, Webster City, Iowa, 50595
Matthew Olson/Google
Also located in Winneshiek County, Dunning’s Spring Falls in Decorah is like something out of a fairy tale - so much so, that this spot is a popular favorite for Iowa weddings.
Dunning’s Spring Falls, Ice Cave Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101
Sarah/Flickr
Located within Devils Glen Park in Bettendorf, Duck Creek Waterfall is a great place to go when you want to get away from it all. While you are in Bettendorf checking out the Duck Creek Waterfall, be sure to stop by the Duck Creek Pancake House - a local favorite.
Duck Creek Waterfall, 1101 Devils Glen Road, Bettendorf, Iowa, 52722
Probably one of the most beautiful spots in the state, Siewer’s Spring Waterfall in Decorah is also a great spot for fishing, due to its position on Trout Run Trail.
Take a closer look (and listen) to the lovely Siewers Spring Waterfall in this cool timelapse video:
Siewer’s Spring Waterfall, 2325 Siewers Spring Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Waterfalls in Iowa May 04, 2021 Tori Jane Where are the most popular places to go hiking in Iowa? Some of the most popular places to go hiking in Iowa include:
Hitchcock Nature Center Loop Trail Maquoketa Caves Loop Backbone State Park Ledges State Park Loess Hills State Forest
Iowa is a state that seems to be underrated in terms of its hiking. Let’s face it: when people think about hiking trips, they probably don’t think of Iowa - but maybe they should. There are hundreds of highly-rated and much-beloved hiking trails throughout the entire state. Some of the favorites among locals and visitors alike are the Hitchcock Nature Center Loop Trail, at the Hitchcock Nature Area. It’s a bit difficult for less-experienced hikers, but trust us when we say it’s a slice of paradise and well worth the challenge. Maquoketa Caves Loop is an unforgettable hike that takes you through scenic landscapes and, for those who want to, offers up a chance to go spelunking. Both trails are highly popular and well-loved. Go on a hike every month of the year with these awesome hiking ideas. What are some fun things to do in Iowa? Just about anything you can think of that’s fun to do in any other state can probably be found here, unless, of course, you’re looking for a major adventure park like Six Flags or Disneyland. You won’t find those here, but what you will find is an assortment of awesome parks, hiking trails, walking paths, and places to camp that you won’t find anywhere else. If adventure parks are what you seek, then Adventureland Park in Altoona might be exactly what you’re looking for. For those who prefer nature in their relaxation, you can go camping, or explore any one of our more than 80 state parks and recreation areas. If you can dream it, you can probably do it - within reason, of course! Where can I find natural gems in Iowa? Iowa is one of the best states to find fun natural places that will blow you away. There are so many to choose from that starting might seem a little bit intimidating, but trust us when we say it’s impossible to regret beginning your search. For example, the Loess Hills are a place filled with prehistoric wonder, and some of our cave systems are second to none in terms of pure awesomeness. Crystal Lake Cave is one such place of perfection that we highly recommend you visit at least once. Heck, you might find some literal gems spelunking in Iowa!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Waterfalls in Iowa
May 04, 2021
Tori Jane
Where are the most popular places to go hiking in Iowa? Some of the most popular places to go hiking in Iowa include:
Hitchcock Nature Center Loop Trail Maquoketa Caves Loop Backbone State Park Ledges State Park Loess Hills State Forest
Iowa is a state that seems to be underrated in terms of its hiking. Let’s face it: when people think about hiking trips, they probably don’t think of Iowa - but maybe they should. There are hundreds of highly-rated and much-beloved hiking trails throughout the entire state. Some of the favorites among locals and visitors alike are the Hitchcock Nature Center Loop Trail, at the Hitchcock Nature Area. It’s a bit difficult for less-experienced hikers, but trust us when we say it’s a slice of paradise and well worth the challenge. Maquoketa Caves Loop is an unforgettable hike that takes you through scenic landscapes and, for those who want to, offers up a chance to go spelunking. Both trails are highly popular and well-loved. Go on a hike every month of the year with these awesome hiking ideas. What are some fun things to do in Iowa? Just about anything you can think of that’s fun to do in any other state can probably be found here, unless, of course, you’re looking for a major adventure park like Six Flags or Disneyland. You won’t find those here, but what you will find is an assortment of awesome parks, hiking trails, walking paths, and places to camp that you won’t find anywhere else. If adventure parks are what you seek, then Adventureland Park in Altoona might be exactly what you’re looking for. For those who prefer nature in their relaxation, you can go camping, or explore any one of our more than 80 state parks and recreation areas. If you can dream it, you can probably do it - within reason, of course! Where can I find natural gems in Iowa? Iowa is one of the best states to find fun natural places that will blow you away. There are so many to choose from that starting might seem a little bit intimidating, but trust us when we say it’s impossible to regret beginning your search. For example, the Loess Hills are a place filled with prehistoric wonder, and some of our cave systems are second to none in terms of pure awesomeness. Crystal Lake Cave is one such place of perfection that we highly recommend you visit at least once. Heck, you might find some literal gems spelunking in Iowa!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the most popular places to go hiking in Iowa include:
- Hitchcock Nature Center Loop Trail
- Maquoketa Caves Loop
- Backbone State Park
- Ledges State Park
- Loess Hills State Forest
Iowa is a state that seems to be underrated in terms of its hiking. Let’s face it: when people think about hiking trips, they probably don’t think of Iowa - but maybe they should. There are hundreds of highly-rated and much-beloved hiking trails throughout the entire state. Some of the favorites among locals and visitors alike are the Hitchcock Nature Center Loop Trail, at the Hitchcock Nature Area. It’s a bit difficult for less-experienced hikers, but trust us when we say it’s a slice of paradise and well worth the challenge. Maquoketa Caves Loop is an unforgettable hike that takes you through scenic landscapes and, for those who want to, offers up a chance to go spelunking. Both trails are highly popular and well-loved. Go on a hike every month of the year with these awesome hiking ideas.
What are some fun things to do in Iowa?
Just about anything you can think of that’s fun to do in any other state can probably be found here, unless, of course, you’re looking for a major adventure park like Six Flags or Disneyland. You won’t find those here, but what you will find is an assortment of awesome parks, hiking trails, walking paths, and places to camp that you won’t find anywhere else. If adventure parks are what you seek, then Adventureland Park in Altoona might be exactly what you’re looking for. For those who prefer nature in their relaxation, you can go camping, or explore any one of our more than 80 state parks and recreation areas. If you can dream it, you can probably do it - within reason, of course!
Where can I find natural gems in Iowa?
Iowa is one of the best states to find fun natural places that will blow you away. There are so many to choose from that starting might seem a little bit intimidating, but trust us when we say it’s impossible to regret beginning your search. For example, the Loess Hills are a place filled with prehistoric wonder, and some of our cave systems are second to none in terms of pure awesomeness. Crystal Lake Cave is one such place of perfection that we highly recommend you visit at least once. Heck, you might find some literal gems spelunking in Iowa!
