Great Iowa park to get out and walk and enjoy the scenic views from higher up along the…read moreMississippi. The park has some nice easy hiking paths to discover. It has 11 miles of trails to check out. We did bridal veil falls trail and then Point Ann trail from the McGregor parking area. Other nearby attractions like effigy mounds national monument and local small town businesses. If you are from Iowa, don't forget to cross the river and grab some spotted cow beer from the town of prairie du chien in Wisconsin! They have a campground as well and river activities. Yellow river state park isn't far and is one of our favorites. Highly recommend for a vacation spot either for a day trip or multiple days to check out the surrounding attractions.

Beautiful campground at Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor,IA. We were here in 2019, and now (2025) an…read moreamazing difference. The campground has been updated and redone. Spacious sites, concrete roads, easier access to all sites. Very well maintained. Mid-April and water was not accessible yet. We brought our own so no problem if you plan accordingly. Very nice trails throughout the other part of the park. Keep up the good work, Iowa.

We were here as part of a Nature Foundation of Wisconsin outing so we were lucky to have the park's…read moresuperintendent as one of our tour guides. We hiked along the trail that overlooked both the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. It was beautiful. Lots of interesting birds, plant life and history. There are many beautiful vistas and historic/ geographical plaques and markers to help explain the area. The flood marker at the boat launch was impressive. We were only here for the day but we could see how this is a popular place for camping. We understand in summer that the mosquitoes can be fierce - lucky we were here in May. We brought our picnic lunch to the far south end of the park at the Henneger Point picnic area and had it to ourselves. A very nice state park.

This is a really nice park for easy hikes with outstanding views…read more Lookout point is a must with a beautiful view of the Wisconsin river flowing into the Mississippi. The sand caves loop is an easy shaded hike perfect for hot days (with bug repellent). Driving down to the boat landing also give an interesting view from the fishing platform. Overall a really nice park.

Traveling the river and staying in Dubuque overnight. Anxious to visit the park because all the…read morepositive reviews. Everything says it's open. (looking at you Yelp) ITS CLOSED. SEASONAL! Thank goodness there's lots of history to find in the oldest Iowa town. The one star is for all the review sights that don't check details.

Absolutely amazing view of the Mississippi River Valley flew my drone over the river and took some…read morepictures like no other it's definitely a must see for Dubuque Iowa

Thunder Bay Falls is a must see on your way into or out of Galena! It's only about a 10 min drive…read moreout of the way for a majestic view of the waterfall. Depending on how much rain there's been will determine how full the waterfall is- the 1st time I came here, there was a trickle of water. This time (a full year later) was a full fledged roaring waterfall! This is a quick stop- it's just the waterfall! There's a gravel parking lot (usually the other cars are a dead giveaway). There are several viewing areas with selfie stations for you to prop up your phone! The wildflowers are beauty here too. If you brought a fishing pole, go for it! There are signs (and reviews) that clearly state you have to be a member or a guest of something in order to be here... we've never seen anyone enforcing the rules here. It's too much of a treasure to keep people away.

I meannnn... the waterfall was dry when we went so that was a bummer. Not much of a trail to walk…read morearound either. It's nice to visit but definitely probably better to go in the spring or summer when the water fall is actively running. There are a few posts that provide information about why Thunder Bay falls is important to the area. Still pretty cool to check out and get some fresh air.

We visited to specifically tour the Lowell Walter house, a.k.a. Cedar Rock, designed by Frank Lloyd…read moreWright. Cedar Rock does not disappoint!! Our tour guide Erick was great- knowledgeable and very engaging as was the other gentleman at the welcome center. Although we traveled by car, we loved that we saw a few guests actually arrived by kayak as the home's boathouse is right on the river- they did mention they called the park to prearrange their tour so as to meet the guide at the house. As avid kayakers we'll be doing this for a return visit. FYI kayakers/canoers- there's a sizeable sand bar forming a nice natural beach right across the river from the Cedar Rock boathouse that's perfect for a lunch stop/picnic. Thank You Cedar Rock staff!

I have been wanted to come here for years. Totally made for a nice day trip!!! All of the…read moreDNR employees were knowledgable and so nice !!! If you are a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright make this trip. The house is so well preserved.

Wow this place is easily Iowa's most beautiful park. If you live in the area and haven't been you…read moreare missing out .

I've never camped here so I can't tell you how those facilities are, but I do love the hiking…read moretrials. They are fun and not too challenging.

Beautiful and extensive trails over a surprisingly large area, many along or near pretty waterways…read more....there are several well marked parking lots near the trail heads. We did get lost trying to find the nature center which didn't seem connected to the part of the park we first arrived in...it seems there are two separate entrances? Fortunately we were near the cool castle-like tower, the Julien Dubuque Monument, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi and of the city of Dubuque. Definitely would like to come back for more hiking here!

Mines of Spain is a go to place for me and has been for years. A wonderful scenic outdoor space…read more Great for hiking.

I absolutely love the Arboretum. Beautiful peaceful place. Spent hours there just soaking in and…read moreenjoying the area. The koi pond was wonderful. This place charges no fee for admittance. I don't understand how they cannot as such a wonderful place. I highly recommend

Small and quite walkable even for me with a disability. The Japanese garden was quite pretty. We…read morewere there early in the day so not a lot of other people around, which can be enjoyable. Would return to see it in different seasons.

Lots of amazing trails. The overlooks are fantastic. Trails shared with horses and Mtn bikes. Love…read moreit. No motorized bikes or ATVs. Cannot climb fire tower. Drive from Dubuque is gorgeous all the way. About 1.5 hours. Americana towns to stop and eat or shop little antique or resales.

I first camped here in the early-mid 1980's, and returned here last year with my son for a camping…read moretrip. This is the largest contiguous forest in Iowa, which is near the bluffs of the Mississippi River. It is also fairly isolated - spotty phone service, and buy all supplies before you arrive. The campgrounds are loops with little shade overall, but the nearby bluffs, trails, and fishing are what bring people. Toilets are pit toilets that were cleaned daily when we camped in the middle of the week, but they are pit toilets. No showers, sinks, or electricity. You fill out a form and stuff that and $8 into a little slot on a board with the site #'s posted above the slot This place is gorgeous. The trails are on bluffs high above the campground and the scenery is spectacular. You would never guess this is Iowa. It is also near the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a prehistoric burial site built by Native Americans over 1000 years ago. This is a place to camp and visit if you want to see some of the less-visited State Forests and Parks in the midwest.