Want to see wildflowers in Iowa? Head to these 8 trails

Spring has sprung, and Iowa is officially in bloom. Check out these eight trails for the best views of wildflowers in Iowa.

“In Bloom” has been my favorite Nirvana song for about 20 years. You may be asking yourself, “Now what does that have to do with seeing wildflowers in Iowa?”, and you’d be right to ask that. It isn’t necessarily relevant to the information I’m about to share with you, but that song has been the soundtrack of my research for this piece because it always makes me think of spring. 

Thankfully, like Nirvana, wildflowers are in bloom around the state right now. These precious little buds are climbing their way through the dirt to stand tall despite the myriad things that may try to prevent them from blooming. Given the current landscape (no pun intended) we find ourselves in, I think we could all learn a thing or two from them.

And, honestly, sitting in a field of wildflowers is the exact mental health reset you need sometimes. Wildflower season stretches into May, and you can see an array of brilliant blooms during this time, including: Virginia bluebells, Toothworts, and Spring beauties. 

For a full list of spring wildflowers, click here to learn more through the Iowa Association of Naturalists, and here for Iowa Public Radio’s handy field guide. 

For additional information, tick safety protection, and more, here’s the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Woodland Wildflowers & Reports.

Now, before I tell you the best trails to explore to find these gorgeous flowers, I’d like to gently remind you to refrain from picking the wildflowers you find in these areas. It’s banned in some places, but it’s generally a good rule to follow because we want to leave the blooms alone and let other people admire their beauty. 

1. Ledges State Park, Madrid 

Nestled inside Ledges State Park is a four-mile trail that “winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews, with sandstone ledges towering 100 feet above the Des Moines River.” Some of these trails are steeper and more challenging than others, so be mindful of which way you’re heading before you set out. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends sticking to the fully accessible interpretative trails if you’re looking for a more leisurely hike. 

Many of Iowa’s spring ephemerals can be found throughout Ledges State Park, but you may want to chat with a park ranger to learn more about the best viewing spots for them. It’s illegal to pick wildflowers in any of Iowa’s state parks, but you’re encouraged to bring a magnifying glass to get a closer look and to take pictures of the flowers, too. 

You’re allowed to bring your dog along for the adventure, but they must “be kept on a leash with a maximum length of six feet.” It’s free to visit the state park to look for wildflowers, and in general. For additional park rules, including what you can and can’t bring to Ledges, along with accessibility guidelines and more, please click here.

White Ledges Wildflowers peeking out between leaves. (Carl Wycoff/CC BY 2.0).

2. Palisades-Kepler State Park, Mount Vernon

The same general rules for Ledges about dogs, admission, and safety are going to apply to your trip to Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mount Vernon. 

Palisades-Kepler sits along the banks of the Cedar River and features over five miles of hiking trails where you can view a gorgeous display of wildflowers between now and May. Here’s a full list of trail names, where to find them, and how long they are. Looking this over in advance will help you figure out how much hiking you would ideally like to do, and where to pick up those specific trails once you arrive at the state park. 

Additional information, including the type of fish you can find here and how to navigate the online reservation system if you’d like to stay overnight, is available here.

A robin sitting in a field at Palisades-Kepler State Park. (turn off your computer and go outside/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).

3. High Trestle Trail, Ankeny (Easy)

If you’re looking for a nice, leisurely hiking trail that will lead you to some gorgeous wildflowers, High Trestle Trail in Ankeny is the place for you. Yes, it stretches over 24 miles, but you don’t have to undertake the whole trail (especially since that would take you about seven hours to do!). You can bike, walk, or run through this area, and you can even bring your dog with you as long as you keep them on a leash.

You might not be able to get as close to the wildflowers here as you can in more woodland areas, like state parks, but it’s a great option if you can’t travel that far—or if you want to find ways of observing Iowa’s wildlife on a regular day. 

There are four accessible spaces found in the parking lot off of Northwest Ash Drive. All of the trails at High Trestle are either smooth, paved asphalt or concrete, and they’re usually six feet wide or wider in most places. There are also numerous resting spots located throughout the 24 miles of trails for you to pause, catch your breath, and admire the view.

A view of High Trestle Trail and surrounding trees. (David Wilson/CC BY 2.0).

4. Waterworks Prairie Park, Iowa City (Easy)

Another easy trail is found in Iowa City’s Waterworks Prairie Park. This one is only about three miles long and takes less than an hour to complete. Leashed dogs are welcome here as well, and you and your canine companion can take your time admiring the prairie, wildflowers, and ponds found at this location.

Similar to High Trestle, there are four accessible spaces here found in the parking lot off of Dubuque Street Northeast. The trails are also smooth, paved concrete or asphalt, and they’re about five feet wide or wider in most places. 

As an added bonus, there are picnic benches located throughout Waterworks Prairie Park where you can sip your water and scroll through the beautiful wildflower photos you were able to take along the way.

5. Dozer Cut, Bunker Hill, and Badger Ridge Trail Loop, Honey Creek (Moderate)

We’re going to ramp things up a little bit at Dozer Cut, Bunker Hill, and Badger Ridge Trail Loop in Honey Creek. This 6.3-mile trail loop is considered “moderate,” which means it’s slightly more challenging to hike through than the previous two options. You don’t have to make the whole six-mile trek to enjoy the wildflowers, though. This scenic trail is situated in a quiet, peaceful, wooded landscape, making it the perfect place to observe nature with few interruptions. Leashed dogs are welcome here, too!

You’re actually right on the border with Omaha and the Hitchcock Nature Center trails when you’re completing this circuit. You can choose to keep things short and sweet or opt for a longer hike, depending on the trail you choose. 

6. Wildcat Den Trail, Muscatine (Moderate)

Muscatine’s Wildcat Den Trail looks like something out of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel. This four-mile trail takes over an hour and a half to complete, but you can go at your own pace to make the most of your time here. There’s never any rush to walk through this truly stunning area.

Wildcat is kid and dog friendly, and in addition to peeping some Iowa wildflowers, you’ll also find more unique stops like “Devil’s Punch Bowl,” ” Fat Man’s Squeeze,” and “Steamboat Rock.” If that isn’t enticing enough, Wildcat Den State Park is considered “one of the most photographed Iowa state parks” for its immense beauty.

Additional information, including maps of the area, can be found here.

A trail winding through the trees at Wildcat Den. (John W. Iwanski/CC BY-NC 2.0).

7. Julien Dubuque Monument Foot Trail, Dubuque (Moderate)

Though this trail is less than a mile long and only takes about 20 minutes to complete, it’s still considered moderately challenging because of its steep elevation gain. Bearing that in mind, though, the Julien Dubuque Monument Foot Trail is a great place to stop and smell the wildflowers, and it’s very popular for birding as well. 

Dogs can be off their leashes in some areas of the trail, but it’s best to check once you get there to ensure they’re on the leash when needed. Please also note that the trail can be slick and slippery after it rains, so plan accordingly. 

Additional information can be found here.

Yellow wildflowers in an Iowa field. (Justin Meissen/CC BY-SA 2.0).

8. Paint Creek Unit Loop, Waterville (Hard)

For expert hikers, the Paint Creek Unit Loop in Waterville offers 13 miles of trails to explore and wander through in search of Iowa’s spring ephemerals. There are seven designated trailheads here, and you can also camp overnight at one of the four available campgrounds. 

This is a more secluded, private area, which makes it great for people who are seeking solitude among nature to enjoy wildflowers, birds, backpacking, and more. Some of the areas are shared with equestrians, so be mindful of where you are and who you’re sharing the trail with at all times.

A dark purple native wildflower blooming in Iowa. (USFWS Midwest Region/PDM 1.0).

Bonus: Try a group wildflower hike in Granger

For a unique experience, we’d like to suggest a Wildflower Hike at Thomas Mitchell Park on Sunday, April 27. Beginning at 1 p.m., this all-ages event is free to attend, and no RSVP is necessary. If you’re interested, meet up with the group at the designated time at the pond parking lot. From there, you’ll all take a nice stroll through the surrounding woods to “discuss one of the most dazzling and diverse displays of native wildflowers in the county.”

You’ll also learn how to identify the blooms, “how they were used by early people,” and enjoy a sense of community while you’re at it.

Happy hiking! 🌷

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.