One Of Iowa's Most Romantic Destinations Is A Dreamy State Park With Scenic Mississippi River Views

Anyone who assumes that Iowa is nothing more than a flat flyover state clearly hasn't been to the northeast corner of the Hawkeye State. Nestled in the scenic bluffs of Clayton County, Pikes Peak State Park (you read that right, a peak in Iowa) is one of the state's most picturesque natural destinations. About two hours by car from Cedar Rapids, and overlooking the Upper Mississippi River, this park offers visitors stunning panoramic views, insights into native culture, and diverse outdoor activities.

Spanning nearly 1,000 acres, Pikes Peak State Park is famed for its 500-foot bluff, which provides a spectacular vantage point of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. The park is named after Zebulon Pike (someone really ought to bring this name back into the mainstream), the explorer who surveyed the area in 1805 while searching for strategic military locations. Unlike its 14,000-foot-tall Colorado namesake, home to a stunning visitor center with famous donuts and views, Iowa's Pikes Peak is an obscure short king that showcases the beauty of the Driftless Area, a region untouched by glaciers, resulting in rugged terrain and unique geological formations. (Don't miss Decorah either, the Norwegian college town with small-town charm, also located in the Driftless Area).

Visitors to this Pike's Peak can explore 11 miles of hiking trails, including a scenic boardwalk leading to Bridal Veil Falls, a delicate waterfall tucked within the park's untouched forests. The trails also feature effigy mounds, remnants of Native American cultures that once thrived in the area. For those seeking adventure, mountain biking is permitted on designated paths, while camping facilities provide a rustic retreat with modern amenities. With so much to offer nature and history enthusiasts alike, Pikes Peak State Park is truly one of Iowa's best-kept secrets. It also made Travel and Leisure's list of most romantic destinations in the U.S., so it might be a great place to pop the question if you're looking for a scenic spot for such proposals.

The spiritual and historical significance of Pikes Peak State Park is in its proximity to the effigy mounds. Effigy mounds are ancient earthen structures built by Native American cultures during the Late Woodland period (approximately A.D. 800 to 1200). These carefully shaped mounds, often designed to resemble animals such as bears, birds, or serpents, are believed to have held spiritual significance, serving as burial sites and ceremonial spaces. The Indigenous peoples who created these formations had a deep connection to the land, honoring the natural world and their ancestors through these impressive earthworks.

At Pikes Peak State Park, one notable effigy mound is Bear Mound, a structure that highlights the region's rich cultural heritage. Though only a few mounds remain within the park, they offer visitors a glimpse into the traditions and beliefs of the Native American groups who once thrived here. Many of these structures are found throughout the Upper Mississippi River Valley, reflecting the widespread mound-building practices of the time.

For those interested in exploring more, the Effigy Mounds National Monument, located just 7 miles north of Pikes Peak State Park, is home to over 200 well-preserved mounds. The monument provides a broader understanding of the significance of these formations, offering trails and educational exhibits about the indigenous peoples who built them. These mounds are an enduring reminder of the region's ancient past, showcasing the artistry, spirituality, and legacy of the people who shaped the land centuries ago. Visiting them offers a chance to reflect on both the ancient history and the natural beauty of the area.

Though Pike recognized the overlook that he named after himself as being a site of potential military significance, the government went ahead and decided to instead build a fort at a site called Prairie du Chien (which locals now pronounce as "Prayer duh SHEEN," much to the chagrin of any native French speaker — all of this territory was part of the Louisiana Purchase from France, hence the French place-names). Though Prairie du Chien is on the east bank of the Mississippi, thus making it part of Wisconsin, it is a common place for visitors to add on to a day trip to Pikes Peak.

Wisconsin's second-oldest city, boasting nature and heritage, Prairie du Chien was established as a European settlement by French voyageurs in the late 17th century, serving as a strategic hub in the fur trade for traders and explorers. The city's name, meaning "Dog's Prairie" in French, originates from a Meskwaki chief whose name translates to "dog." Today, visitors (including this author's own family, annually) enjoy strolling the quaint, historic downtown or checking out the Villa Louis Historic Site, a beautifully preserved Victorian estate, or the Fort Crawford Museum, which showcases the city's military significance. The city also hosts annual events like the Prairie Villa Rendezvous, a reenactment of its fur trading past.