October 2, 2014
Famous for its breathtaking natural scenery, the Iowa landscape is as vast as it is varied. The Hawkeye State, as its inhabitants fondly refer to it, is teaming with national parks, vast farmlands and rare flora and fauna, making it the perfect place to shake off the bonds of city life and get out into the great outdoors. Just a short ride out of Des Moines, and you’ll be immersed in the natural wonders of Iowa.
Stunning red skies over a Midwest cornfield © Larry Lindell/iStock/Thinkstock
Agriculture and agritourism is a fundamental part of Iowa’s DNA – it’s not called the breadbasket of the world for nothing. Take the opportunity to visit a working dairy farm or the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center while you’re in town and gain a newfound respect for Mother Nature.
Iowa is home to a diverse array of wildlife, from the rare and endangered Blackbuck antelope to the delicate fluttering of the Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly.
Iowa’s Great Lakes, a group of glacial lakes in the northwest of the state, offer scenic views and scores of wildlife, making them a favourite among holidaymakers and fishermen alike.
Whether you choose to hike the cliffs and trails, canoe across the rivers or take a dip in the lakes, Iowa’s state parks are a nature lover’s dream.
Lake Red Rock is a prominent part of the Iowa landscape and has long been a favourite for boating and fishing. This is also popular spot for campers keen to explore the 13-mile Volksweg Trail that passes restored prairies, pine plantations and, of course, the striking setting of the lake itself.
Header Image © Carl Wycoff/Flickr
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Have you explored the Iowa landscape? What did you make of the natural wonders of the Hawkeye State? Let us know in the comments section below.
Written by Chantelle Symester
Chantelle Symester is a writer and editor based in London. When she’s not chained to her laptop working she can be found hopping on a plane to far flung places across the globe. Trips so far include adventures to Mexico, South America and North Africa and she now has her heart set on discovering the East. You can find her @csymester
