Iowa is home to boundless natural beauty, and nowhere is that more apparent than in our state parks. Iowa State Parks has excelled at highlighting and protecting these beautiful spaces for all to enjoy and explore. While there are currently 69 designated state parks in Iowa, most of us have probably visited or at least heard of the most popular ones, like Ledges, Backbone, Big Creek and Pikes Peak State Park. But what about the lesser-known parks tucked away but begging to be discovered?
The five state parks listed below are all about a two-hour drive from Des Moines and make wonderful fall weekend excursions, especially for families with young children who are acclimating to longer road trips or for a quick getaway when you’re craving family time. Iowa is fortunate to have a wide range of state parks to choose from, and these five are truly a few of the hidden gems of our state, offering a wealth of outdoor activities for the ultimate fall family getaway.
For even more ideas for things to do with your family this fall in central Iowa be sure to check out our Fall Fun Guide and Events Calendar.
Here’s 5 lesser-known Iowa state parks worth exploring with your family this fall:
Before hitting the road consider signing up for Iowa DNR’s Iowa State Park Passport. It’s free to sign up and you could win some great prizes, which are available through 10/31/22.
Lake Darling State Park
111 Lake Darling Road • Brighton, IA 52540 • (319) 694-2323
Named after J.N. “Ding” Darling, a champion of conservation and nationally renowned editorial cartoonist, Lake Darling State Park in southeast Iowa provides ample opportunity for fall family picnics, lake recreation and woodland hikes.
About a two-hour drive from Des Moines, Lake Darling State Park is best known for its natural beauty with a diverse natural landscape and prime fishing spots. A 13.6-mile trail encircles the entire lake. The trail takes you through a variety of habitats, from wetland areas around the fringes of the lake, through successional woodlands and remnants of native prairie. The trail is a combination of grass and crushed rock and is open to hikers, cross-country skiers, runners, snowmobilers, and mountain bikers
Overnight guests can choose from one of several camping cabins, modern family cabins (ADA Accessible) or RV and tent sites scattered across four campgrounds. Campsite and cabin reservations can be made online.
Nine Eagles State Park
23678 Dale Miller Road • Davis City, IA 50065 • (641) 442-2855
Lined with towering trees, the picturesque road leading into Nine Eagles State Park will immediately capture the hearts of all who enter. This often-forgotten state park is in Decatur County and its lake’s timbered watershed makes it one of the clearest artificial reservoirs in Iowa.
Once there, wander along the three-mile crushed rock trail lined by lush native plant species and oak trees for some peaceful exploration. Additionally, there’s a seven-mile equestrian trail. Guests will also enjoy biking, fishing, swimming, trail riding and camping at this park, which is just an hour and a half south of Des Moines.
There is one family cabin with a full kitchen, bathroom, and covered deck available for rent. Or stay in one of the park’s three campgrounds. Reservations can be made online for the cabin and campground sites. Visit in mid to late autumn to witness the park’s fall foliage on full display!
Pilot Knob State Park
2148 340th Street • Forest City, IA 50436 • (641) 581-4835
Just a two hour drive up I-35 from Des Moines, Pilot Knob State Park, is located just west of Mason City. This beautiful space is one of Iowa’s original state parks, and the area beckons outdoor enthusiasts with a host of recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and camping.
One of the Park’s main draws is its CCC-era Observation Tower, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can stand atop the tower on “Pilot Knob” and enjoy the natural landscape and breathtaking views. RV and tent camping sites can be reserved online and feature electric hookups, modern showers and restrooms and a trailer dump station.
Lastly, discover some of Iowa’s most unique ecological features while exploring Pilot Knob. A 4-acre floating sphagnum bog known as Deadman’s Lake is hidden within the park and is home to many unique wildlife species.
Pine Lake State Park
22620 Country Highway S56 • Eldora, IA 50627 • (641) 858-5832
Pine Lake State Park is home to wooded trails, deep ravines, and scenic lake views, in the middle of Iowa’s rolling farmland. It should take you about an hour and a half to get to this Park near Eldora. Once there, you can take the family out for a group hike on one or more of the six trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate.
If your family likes to fish, you’re in luck with two lakes and access to the Iowa River you’ll have lots of options to find a good fishing spot. Pine Lake has several fishing jetties on both Upper Pine Lake and Lower Pine Lake that provide great shoreline access. Both lakes, according to local anglers, are full of bass, crappie, northern and catfish. Each lake also has a boat ramp for convenient lake access.
This park offers four stone cabins that are nestled along the river, all with heating and air conditioning, full kitchens, and baths, or you can make online reservations for a tent or camping site. Pine Lake State Park is gorgeous year-round, but it’s the perfect place to escape to in the fall when the lush foliage transforms into vivid autumn hues.
Union Grove State Park
1215 220th Street • Gladbrook, IA 50635 • (641) 473-2556
Venture northeast to Union Grove State Park, located in Tama County. It takes just over an hour to get to this picturesque Park which was founded in 1938. Known for its waterfall and dam nestled in the woods, the park’s location, two trails, and lake, affords ample opportunities for fishing, hiking, and swimming.
This quiet Park is teeming with wildlife, so don’t be surprised to see deer, turkey, songbirds, waterfowl and more. It’s also home to beautiful, re-established prairie and pine plantation that can be found in the northeast corner of the park.
Stay overnight in one of two family cabins or at the park’s modern campground. Reservations can be made for both online. With the upcoming start of fall, Des Moines families have a great opportunity to get out and enjoy nature in what is clearly the most colorful season of the year!
Featured photo is of Nine Eagles State Park and the photo source is the Iowa DNR.
