There are 85 state parks in Iowa, each one of them as beautiful as the last, but there is one state park that shines even brighter than the rest – Pikes Peak State Park.
Located in McGregor, Pikes Peak State Park encompasses nearly a thousand acres of land, including a 500-foot-tall bluff overlooking the Upper Mississippi River.
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Pikes Peak was named after Zebulon Pike, an American explorer who was sent by the government in 1805 to select a site for a military fort. Pike chose this site but the government built the fort across the river. Pikes Peak officially became a state park in 1936.
John W. Iwanski/Flickr
There are hiking trails, campgrounds and RV facilities. Mountain bikes are permitted in certain portions of the park. Aside from recreational development, the land in the park was never cleared and to a large extent remains as it was before the advent of white settlement.
Michael Paul Willis/Flickr
Aside from the trails, there are many lookout spots which provide an amazing view of the surrounding park. There is also a waterfall - Bridal Veil Falls.
Todd Ehlers/Flickr
Pikes Peak is part of a larger complex of parks, reserves and refuges which include Effigy Mounds National Monument, the Yellow River State Forest, the enormous Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and the much smaller Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge - making for a beautiful and diverse area for miles and miles surrounding the park.
Todd Ehlers/Flickr
The views at Pikes Peak are some of the most amazing scenes in the entire state, and they are something that everyone in Iowa should experience at least once in their life.
Kathy Tilander-Doyle/Facebook
For a visual tour of Pikes Peak State Park and the surrounding area, check out this video by Joe Johnson:
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
John W. Iwanski/Flickr
Michael Paul Willis/Flickr
Todd Ehlers/Flickr
Kathy Tilander-Doyle/Facebook
Pretty amazing stuff, right? What are some of your favorite state parks here in Iowa? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
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