4 Outdoor Activities to Try in Iowa

Whether you live in Iowa or you plan on visiting sometime this year, the state offers a huge variety of outdoor activities worth taking part in. Getting outdoors is a wonderful way to get a healthy dose of fresh air, and in Iowa, you’ll also be treated to all kinds of natural beauty and serenity if you choose. So, what should be on your list of must-do outdoor activities in Iowa? Here are four you won’t want to miss out on.

Gather Up Your Hiking Gear

Thanks to the natural beauty of Iowa, it makes the perfect destination for hiking. That can equate to a short afternoon hike or something more substantial that takes a full day or multiple days. Iowa has a huge selection of hiking trails worth exploring, you can choose a trail based on your skill and experience level and how long a hike you want to embark on.

Some of the more notable areas for hiking include Backbone State Park, Ledges State Park, Waubonsie State Park, Pine Lake State Park, and Yellow River State Forest. It’s a good idea to research the trail maps in advance so you familiarize yourself with the highlights of the trail.

Hunting Is a Popular Sport in the State

Iowa is well-known for being one of the best states for deer hunters, as well as other types of hunting. It attracts hunters from across the country each year during deer season, which is late fall into early winter. Other popular animals to hunt include crow, cottontail rabbit, wild turkey, quail, and pheasant.

You can get your Iowa hunter safety course online, so you’ll be well prepared and aware of all the rules, regulations, and safety information. Keep in mind if you were born after 1971, you need to have a hunter education before you can purchase a hunting license in Iowa.

Biking Is a Fabulous Way to Explore the State

Depending on what time of year you are visiting, biking may be a great outdoor option. This is a wonderful way to experience the state and also get off the beaten trail. Did you know you can bike across the entire state if you so choose? There’s even a yearly bike tour called RAGGRAI which takes place in the summer traveling from west to east. Thousands of bikers will traverse more than 400 miles in seven days.

Rent an RV and Tour the State

Then we have RV’ing, which is a very popular activity in Iowa. It gives you a chance to explore different RV campgrounds that tend to be in some of the most stunning locations in the state. It’s a more sophisticated form of camping, still allowing you to get that outdoors experience. Because this is such a popular activity, you’ll have no trouble finding an RV rental shop.