Eastern Iowa

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Gems in Eastern Iowa - 1

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Wildlife spotted when driving through the park.

The Backbone of the Maquoketa River

(2) Strawbe…, IA

Recommended Routes in Eastern Iowa - 9

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View from the top of Effigy Mounds Monument.

Effigy Mounds North Unit - Hanging Rock

6.5 mi 10.5 km • 890' Up 271.14 m Up • 889' Down 270.86 m Down

Favorite

Leaf peeping with my pup at Backbone State Park

Backbone Lake Loop

6.4 mi 10.3 km • 490' Up 149.41 m Up • 496' Down 151.13 m Down

Favorite

Singletrack running alongside Clear Creek.

Ashton/Clear Creek Natural Surface

4.2 mi 6.7 km • 257' Up 78.47 m Up • 255' Down 77.72 m Down

Favorite

The spillway.

McBride Nature Recreation Loop

4.5 mi 7.3 km • 535' Up 163.04 m Up • 551' Down 168.04 m Down

Favorite

North Shore Trail along Lake MacBride.

Solon to MacBride Beach

7.8 mi 12.5 km • 724' Up 220.7 m Up • 717' Down 218.56 m Down

Favorite

Water crossing

Pine lake

2.7 mi 4.3 km • 356' Up 108.65 m Up • 361' Down 109.97 m Down

Favorite

A sea of blue at the trailhead of the Schuetzen Park Wanderweg.

Schuetzen Park Wanderweg

1.0 mi 1.6 km • 86' Up 26.12 m Up • 80' Down 24.25 m Down

Favorite

Coming down the old stone steps headed north on Cedar Cliff Trail

Palisades Loop

2.9 mi 4.6 km • 396' Up 120.55 m Up • 397' Down 121.14 m Down

Eastern Iowa Hiking

185 Miles 298 Kilometers of Trail
9 Recommended Routes
1 Gem
39 Easy Trails
106 Intermediate Trails
13 Difficult Trails

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Areas Within Eastern Iowa

Backbone State Park

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Janesville/Waverly

Palisades-Kepler State Park

Pine Lake State Park

Weather Averages

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Trails in Eastern Iowa - 149

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1.8 mi 2.9 km #1Effigy Mounds South Unit Intermediate/Difficult McGregor, IA	Intermediate/Difficult	McGregor, IA	4
2.9 mi 4.6 km #2Hanging Rock Trail Intermediate/Difficult McGregor, IA	Intermediate/Difficult	McGregor, IA	3
0.5 mi 0.8 km #3Compound Mound Group Trail Intermediate McGregor, IA	Intermediate	McGregor, IA	1
0.9 mi 1.4 km #4Thorny Cottonwood Intermediate Cedar Falls, IA	Intermediate	Cedar Falls, IA	1
0.4 mi 0.6 km #5Twisty Intermediate Cedar Falls, IA	Intermediate	Cedar Falls, IA	1
0.5 mi 0.7 km #6Campground North Intermediate Cedar Falls, IA	Intermediate	Cedar Falls, IA	1
0.2 mi 0.3 km #7Campground South Intermediate Cedar Falls, IA	Intermediate	Cedar Falls, IA	1
2.5 mi 4.1 km #8Amana Nature Trail - Green Route Intermediate/Difficult Walford, IA	Intermediate/Difficult	Walford, IA	1
0.5 mi 0.8 km #9Eugene "Chick" and Patricia Meade Nature Trail Intermediate Coralville, IA	Intermediate	Coralville, IA	1
28.8 mi 46.3 km #10Heritage Trail Easy/Intermediate Dyersville, IA	Easy/Intermediate	Dyersville, IA	1

Photos of Eastern Iowa - 208

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Some of the flora and fungi along the side of the trail in the fall.

Oct 17, 2016 near Dubuque, IA

Walking through the bluffs above Catfish Creek.

Oct 17, 2016 near East Du…, IL

The Julian Dubuque Monument and lookout point.

Oct 17, 2016 near Dubuque, IA

Switchbacks a the end of the North Loop decent.

Jul 19, 2019 near Hampton, IL

Field Trip

Apr 7, 2020 near Maquoketa, IA

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Apr 7, 2020 near Maquoketa, IA

Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, Iowa

Apr 7, 2020 near North L…, IA

The trail weaves it way through the woods under a canopy of leaves that provide shade for your hike.

Jul 21, 2023 near Blue Grass, IA