Drink in autumn leaf displays paired with dramatic limestone bluffs, ice caves, and more on these Driftless Area hikes.
Looking for an Instagram-worthy hike in the Hawkeye State this fall? Set your gaze upon Northeast Iowa’s Driftless Area, home to deep valleys, dense forests, towering bluffs, chilly ice caves, bubbling rivers and streams, and exposed bedrock dating back hundreds of thousands of years. Pair these dramatic landscapes with bold autumn leaf displays, and you won’t know where to point the camera next. By no means a complete list, here are our picks for the best fall hikes in Iowa’s Driftless Area:
Pikes Peak State Park
When the autumn leaves ignite in bold oranges, reds, and yellows, there are few places in northeast Iowa more scenic than Pikes Peak State Park. Located in McGregor, this state park overlooking the majestic Mississippi River offers 11 miles of trails traversing awe-inspiring bluffs and expansive valleys.
The easy, half-mile trek to Bridal Veil Falls is perfect for the whole family with its 30-minute length and accessible boardwalk, while rough and tumble adventurers might opt for the nearly four-mile hike to Point Ann, which features a bird’s-eye view of the quaint town of McGregor and the mighty Mississippi River.
If one afternoon spent exploring Pikes Peak doesn’t sound like enough time, you’re in luck: accommodation options abound at this site. Make an online reservation for a campsite, which comes with modern restrooms, showers, and fire rings, and while you’re at it, book a picturesque meal in one of the park’s rustic, stone picnic shelters, complete with a pair of grills, a handful of picnic tables, and expansive views.
Effigy Mounds National Monument
Situated in the Upper Mississippi River Valley near Harpers Ferry, Effigy Mounds National Monument is a protected site where indigenous Americans once built mounds of earth in the shapes of their beloved companions. Most commonly, the mounds resemble birds, bears, deer, bison, and turtles.
The 1,000 years since these mounds were constructed haven’t eroded some of these efforts one bit: Today’s visitors can embark on one easy, three-mile hike to see a couple of mounds named after their bear-like shapes. Meanwhile, the Hanging Rock Trail is a moderate, nearly six-mile trek to reach panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding valleys and gentle hills of the Driftless Area. Finally, the Nezekaw Point Overlook Trail gains nearly 300 feet of elevation in under two miles, ending in stunning, autumn leaf-covered displays.
Yellow River State Forest
The autumn leaves crunching underneath your feet will soothe your soul as you amble about in Yellow River State Forest, located in Harpers Ferry.
Nearly 9,000 acres of forest await adventurers of all stripes: Those looking for an easy, quick trip will enjoy the South Mississippi Overlook, a quaint yet less populated route that can be completed in under an hour, while the moderate Yellow River Paint Creek Trail guides you along the outer loop of the forest as you gain more than 700 feet in elevation. Only the most prepared and experienced hikers should attempt the Paint Creek Unit Backpack Trail, a nearly 13-mile loop with steep climbs and many muddy, overgrown sections.
Mt. Hosmer City Park
This isn’t your average city park. Lansing’s Mt. Hosmer Veterans Memorial Park lets you lose yourself in the wilderness as you embark from one of the park’s several trailheads.
The quick jaunt to Hooky Hangout leads to a shady spot where local high schoolers gather when they’re avoiding class, while Beck and Strong Point is a moderate route offering views from more than 100 feet of elevation, all within a mile loop.
No matter which trailhead you choose, you’ll be sure to see fiery autumn leaf displays, dramatic bluffs, aerial views of the Mississippi River, and even scenes of nearby Wisconsin. Mt. Hosmer Park is also home to a picnic area and playground.
Trout Run Trail
Ideal for your next family outing, this peaceful loop circles around Decorah, a scenic locale in northeast Iowa known for its Norwegian heritage. With its smooth asphalt surface and moderate inclines, Trout Run Trail invites you to bring along the little ones and your furry companions, too.
In addition to ample autumn leaf displays, your group will spot historic railway lines, picturesque farmlands, and towering limestone bluffs, not to mention the rare algific talus slopes, unique to the Driftless Area. These naturally occurring cold-air microhabitats are formed by broken rock accumulating over subterranean ice systems, and they are characterized by steep, forest-covered slopes.
Backbone State Park
Dundee’s Backbone State Park holds a special place in The Hawkeye State’s history: In 1920, the site was named Iowa’s first state park. It’s named after its unique geological feature, the Devil’s Backbone, which is a steep, narrow ridge of bedrock formed from the Maquoketa River that holds the title for northeast Iowa’s tallest point.
If those details aren’t enough to inspire a visit, perhaps the area’s abundant autumn leaves will seal the deal. With 21 miles of trail, Backbone State Park offers a multitude of ways to trek along rugged limestone cliffs, crystal-clear, trout-filled streams, and cedar-filled forest.
The easy Backbone State Park Trail is a one-mile loop offering several scenic overlooks, while the more challenging West Lake and East Lake Trail climbs more than 500 feet in elevation over six miles.
Dunning’s Spring Park
Hiking enthusiasts will have much to explore at Dunning’s Spring Park in Decorah—in fact, the park’s trail system is so complex and technically difficult, the city of Decorah recommends that visitors stop by a local bike shop to chat with an area expert before attempting to navigate.
There’s one part of the park that hikers agree is a must-see, though: Upper Ice Cave Hill Trail. This moderate, two-mile route travels through densely wooded areas and limestone cliffs to reach some of the largest ice caves in the Midwest, which stay cool and refreshing even on autumn’s warmest afternoons.
Pulpit Rock Overlook
If you haven’t noticed, Decorah in Winneshiek County is a hiker’s paradise, with abundant natural points of interest and a variety of trails for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels.
Located in Decorah’s Will Baker Park, Pulpit Rock Overlook is an awe-inspiring scene that is especially beautiful when autumn paints surrounding trees in bold colors. Drink in panoramic views of the Upper Iowa River Valley from the top of Pulpit Rock, accessible via the Yggdrasil Loop. This moderate, half-mile route traverses through open prairies and thick woods to reach Pulpit Rock, whose stately appearance almost resembles an ancient castle.
