From Native American ruins to the birthplaces of American legends like Glenn Miller and even John Wayne, there are lots of Iowa landmarks you won’t want to miss. Among all those cornfields and small, friendly towns, careful visitors can find themselves amongst some of the most sought-out destination landmarks in the entire country.
Not sure what to see while camping in Iowa? Here are the top 10 you don’t want to miss.
Top Landmarks in Iowa
Iowa Landmarks
Effigy Mounds National Monument
Along the western banks of the Mississippi River, tucked into the upper river valley in the northeastern section of Iowa state, Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves a space that’s been held sacred by Native Americans for centuries. The effigy mounds constructed here, as long ago as the year 550 CE, are sometimes made in the shape of animals, making them extra neat.
Similar mounds are also found in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, and a wide variety of Native American tribes are associated with their construction. This particular monument contains more than 200 examples of these pieces of ancient cultural art.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Given its spot along the Mississippi River, Effigy Mounds is near to other wildernesses that are worth adding to your Iowa itinerary. Yellow River State Forest is just a few miles north of Effigy Mounds, and other Iowa state parks lie west and north.
One of the best nearby campgrounds is Wyalusing State Park Campground in Wisconsin. It puts you in the middle of all the natural beauty the area has to offer.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum
Laura Ingalls Wilder, of the famed Little House on the Prairie books, had an interesting childhood, to say the least. She wasn’t born in Iowa, but Pepin County, Wisconsin. However, when she was nine years old, her family traveled to Burr Oak, Iowa to help manage what was then known as the Masters Hotel.
Today, visitors to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum in Burr Oak can enjoy guided tours that will help them understand what happened between On the Banks of Plum Creek and By the Shores of Silver Lake, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of 1870s life on the prairie.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum is close to the Upper Iowa River Access Area and other wildernesses.
Harvest Farm Campground is a nice place to stay. It is affordable, well maintained, and not too far from the museum.
Pikes Peak State Park
You may think Pikes Peak is significantly further west of the Mississippi — and to be sure, the famous Colorado version is well worth the drive. That said, Iowa has its own Pikes Peak State Park to check out, and it makes for a lovely getaway, complete with sweeping Mississippi River views from a towering 500-foot bluff.
This state park is also criss-crossed with hiking trails. Visitors can also enjoy boating and fishing on the park’s many waters, as well as fossil hunting for those who wish to stay on land.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
This attraction is located a little more than an hour north of Dubuque. It’s also just over the river from Wisconsin’s Wyalusing State Park and only a little bit south of the aforementioned Effigy Mounds National Monument.
There is an onsite campground and we highly recommend staying in the state park in order to get the full experience.
Maquoketa Caves State Park
We highly recommend a visit to Maquoketa Caves State Park. This beautiful, one-of-a-kind wilderness is considered by many to be the most unique state park in all of Iowa. It features beautifully decorated caves carved into the native limestone that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Additionally, many artifacts such as pottery and other pieces found by archaeologists show that this area has served as a human gathering place and shelter for a very long time. This makes it even more exciting to have the opportunity to add your story to the long, ongoing legacy of this land.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located a few miles north of the town of Maquoketa and only a little further from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, this state park is near plenty of attractions. Some of the best include Stanley Museum of Art and Brucemore.
You can actually camp in the state park, so you don’t need to find camping nearby, you can stay right in the middle of the beauty.
Old Capitol Building
Chances are you know that the capital city of Iowa these days is Des Moines, but it wasn’t always. Once upon a time, Iowa City was the capital, and you can still visit the Old Capitol Building in that town. These days though, it serves as a museum. It also happens to be the centerpiece of University of Iowa’s campus.
Another fun fact: this stately edifice was designated a National Historical Landmark back in 1976.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Iowa City is full of fun things to do and plenty of bookstores to check out. The Iowa Children’s Museum is also here, as are a number of museums affiliated with the college campus.
There are several Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds nearby. We especially like the Tailwater West Campground, but any of them will give you a comfortable place to stay.
Ledges State Park
Another stunning and unique natural landscape, Ledges State Park is characterized primarily by the gorge Pea’s Creek has carved into the sandstone here.
Along with the natural landmarks here, the spot is also known for its man-made landmarks. You see, the park is populated by a variety of buildings constructed by the CCC, or Civilian Conservation Corps, back in the 1930s. The most notable of these is the beautiful and often-photographed stone bridge that spans the creek.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Only about an hour outside of Des Moines, Ledges is also close to Big Creek State Park, Springbrook State Park, the Bushy Creek State Recreation Area and others. Additionally, the park is close to small, quaint Iowa towns like Boone, Ames, and Madrid.
Camping is available in the park itself, so there’s no reason to go searching for a nearby campground.
The Bridges of Madison County
You may know of them from the 1995 romance, but the Bridges of Madison County are a real-life landmark — or, rather, several landmarks.
There are six remaining of the 19 covered bridges originally built here, and several are accessible only on narrow, gravel roads (so if you’re driving a big rig, consider leaving it behind and using the toad for this adventure!). This collection of covered bridges is the largest of its kind in the western Mississippi valley, and has earned Madison County the moniker of “covered bridge capital of Iowa.”
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Madison County lies just southwest of Des Moines, giving visitors the opportunity to go from a very urban landscape to a rural one in no time flat. It’s also not a far drive at all to Omaha, Nebraska. Things to do in these cities include the Henry Doorly Zoo and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
We recommend camping at River Oaks RV Park for a relaxing stay.
John Wayne Birthplace
The star of the silver screen known as John Wayne was born in the town of Winterset, Iowa on May 26, 1907. At the time, no one knew he would go on to become one of the most famous actors, and indeed one of the most famous celebrities of any kind, in the history of the world.
Today, visitors can swing by the John Wayne Birthplace Museum to get more insider information on Wayne’s history, as well as to view genuine artifacts from the man’s childhood and life.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The picture of a small midwestern town with a population of just over 5,000, Winterset is about 40 minutes outside of Des Moines where you can check out Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Blank Park Zoo. It’s also close to Pammel State Park and Badger Creek State Park.
Pammel State Park offers camping, but we also love the campsites in Winterset City Campground.
Glenn Miller Birthplace
A visit to the Glenn Miller Birthplace in the town of Clarinda, Iowa will certainly get you in the mood to listen to some incredible big band music. This place is home to a well-stocked and informative museum all about Glenn Miller. It also plays host to many community events, including the annual Glenn Miller Festival.
If you ask us, the Glenn Miller Birthplace is a must-see bucket-list item for music lovers and a great excuse to get familiar with this small, sweet Iowa town.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Tucked into the southwestern corner of Iowa where the state meets Nebraska and Missouri, the Glenn Miller Birthplace is close to Nodaway Valley County Park as well as Lake of Three Fires State Park. You might also want to visit the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum in town.
As far as camping goes, we recommend staying at the aforementioned Lake of Three Fires State Park.
Sergeant Floyd Monument
Head to Sioux City to enjoy the greater urban landscape, but don’t forget to stop by and pay your respects at the Sergeant Floyd Monument. Originally erected back in 1801, this memorial commemorates Sergeant Charles Floyd, Jr., a member of the Lewis & Clark expedition party who tragically died during the upstream voyage. He was buried here, and is remembered for his bravery and contribution to American exploration; he was the only person to die during the Lewis & Clark journey.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Sioux City is teeming with restaurants, shops, and museums to discover, and is just a short drive south of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Some of our favorite area attractions include Sioux City Public Museum, Sergeant Floyd River Museum, and Stone State Park.
In addition to being a lovely place to spend time outdoors, Stone State Park also has a beautiful campground onsite.
Planning an RV Trip to Iowa
An RV trip across Iowa is an excellent way to get acquainted with this unique and diverse state and see all of the amazing Iowa landmarks. Make sure to check out the 10 best campgrounds in the state as well as the best Iowa state parks. Of course, you’ll also want to explore the largest and most popular cities.
