You don’t have to drive across the country for beautiful views from the warm comfort of your car. No matter where you are in Iowa, scenic views are close by.
- Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge Website Just 20 miles southeast of Des Moines, this refuge is here to restore the prairie ecosystem. You may see the resident elk or buffalo herd along the way.
- Ledges State Park
Gunnar Ries zwo/Flickr This wonderful park surrounds Pea’s Creek and the gorge is 100 feet deep in places. It’s filled with historical structures and bridges.
- Madison County Covered Bridges
management/TripAdvisor Stop in at the Madison County Visitors Center to get a map that will guide you on a driving tour of the area during which you can see each of the six famous covered bridges.
- US Highway 52
Ken Lund/Flickr This highway runs along the west edge of the Mississippi River through Clayton, Dubuque, Jackson, and Clinton counties. It offers some of the best scenery in the state.
- County Road X56
Smithson/Flickr Head to Pikes Peak State park on this scenic road to see some of the most exciting terrain in Iowa. It’s beautiful any time of year.
- Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
Michael Leland/Flickr These are some of the tallest loess hills in the world. Enjoy amazing panoramic views of western Iowa. Be sure to drive through the Loess Hills State Forest, too.
- Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway
Phil Roeder/Flickr Go back in time through the Maquoketa River Valley. See Backbone State Park and the beautiful community of New Dehli.
- Historic Hills Scenic Byway
Melissa Johnson/Flickr Starting in Moravia and ending in Donnellson, this 88-mile drive takes you through a few Iowa Mennonite and Amish communities. You’ll also see Honey Creek State Park and Shimek State Forest.
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
Moon shot/Flickr The Iowa portion of this five-state trail includes a stunning view of Ottumwa and Council Bluffs where you can see the Kanesville Tabernacle and learn more about the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail.
- Pick a rural Iowa road and go slow.
Carl Wycoff/Flickr Maybe all of those farmers you get stuck behind aren’t just “looking at the fields.” Maybe they are really taking in the complete scene that beautiful Iowa dependably delivers.
Need more ideas for how to get some peace and quiet? Check out these off-the-grid destinations right here in Iowa.
Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge Website
Just 20 miles southeast of Des Moines, this refuge is here to restore the prairie ecosystem. You may see the resident elk or buffalo herd along the way.
Gunnar Ries zwo/Flickr
This wonderful park surrounds Pea’s Creek and the gorge is 100 feet deep in places. It’s filled with historical structures and bridges.
management/TripAdvisor
Stop in at the Madison County Visitors Center to get a map that will guide you on a driving tour of the area during which you can see each of the six famous covered bridges.
Ken Lund/Flickr
This highway runs along the west edge of the Mississippi River through Clayton, Dubuque, Jackson, and Clinton counties. It offers some of the best scenery in the state.
Smithson/Flickr
Head to Pikes Peak State park on this scenic road to see some of the most exciting terrain in Iowa. It’s beautiful any time of year.
Michael Leland/Flickr
These are some of the tallest loess hills in the world. Enjoy amazing panoramic views of western Iowa. Be sure to drive through the Loess Hills State Forest, too.
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Go back in time through the Maquoketa River Valley. See Backbone State Park and the beautiful community of New Dehli.
Melissa Johnson/Flickr
Starting in Moravia and ending in Donnellson, this 88-mile drive takes you through a few Iowa Mennonite and Amish communities. You’ll also see Honey Creek State Park and Shimek State Forest.
Moon shot/Flickr
The Iowa portion of this five-state trail includes a stunning view of Ottumwa and Council Bluffs where you can see the Kanesville Tabernacle and learn more about the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail.
Carl Wycoff/Flickr
Maybe all of those farmers you get stuck behind aren’t just “looking at the fields.” Maybe they are really taking in the complete scene that beautiful Iowa dependably delivers.
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