4 Special National Parks in Iowa: Historic Sites and Trails

Have you ever wondered if there were national parks in Iowa that you could visit with your family? Every time we visit a new state, we are always looking for national parks or national park sites that we can visit for educational opportunities and nature exploration.

Learning about National Parks in Iowa

The state of Iowa is in the Midwest located along the Mississippi River. Iowa is known for its farmlands and agriculture. It is not a common state that people visit for outdoor recreational activities. Iowa is just not normally a state that you would immediately think of when you think of a place that is famous for its National Parks.

You may be surprised to know that there are a few places that are ran by the U.S. National Park Service that are great to visit when you are in Iowa. These places are a must visit, especially if you love being outdoors with your family and learning about history and culture.

Are there any National Parks in Iowa?

While Iowa doesn’t have any designated National Parks, it does have two National Park Sites and two National Historic Sites. These are ran and supported by the National Parks Service, but they are not owned by the federal government. They do still receive financial and administrative support from the National Parks Service. 

This distinction exists because the National Park Service reserves the title of “National Park” for areas with diverse resources and a significant land or water area to ensure proper protection of those resources.

Many people consider these National Parks since they are maintained by the NPS. Let’s take a look at these 4 National Parks in Iowa and what you can learn and see while you are there. 

National Historic Sites in Iowa

There are two National Historic Sites in Iowa. These two sites are: Effigy Mounds National Historic Site  and Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

The National Park Service sites offers visitor services and educational programs. The NPS works with local communities to ensure historical integrity and learning of the sites’ cultural significance. They also promote and encourage recreation and support conservation for the area.

1. Effigy Mounds National Historic Site

Effigy Mounds National Historic Site is located in North Eastern Iowa, along the Mississippi River near the town of Marquette. This National Historic site protects the national historic landmarks of the effigy mounds, which are animal shaped dirt mounds created by American Indian Tribes.

The mounds here are considered sacred ground. A visit to this site offers many opportunities to learn about the meanings of the mounds and about the people who built them.

There are over 200 American Indian Mounds located at this site. These mounds of earth were built in animal shapes. You can see shapes of bear, deer, bison, birds, turtle, panther, lynx and more.

History and Culture – Learn more about the history and culture of the Effigy Mounds, the mound builders and archaeology of the area.

History of the Park

The effigy mounds were constructed between 700 and 1,300 years ago by many different Native Americans and indigenous people tribes. The area was established as a national monument in 1949 and designated as a national historic site in 1961.

Things to Do

• Explore the mounds – take a hike along the 14 miles of trails to see the ancient mounds up close.
• Photography – this is a great place to take some amazing photos of the mounds and natural beauty of the area.
• Bird and Wildlife Viewing – See if you can spot bald eagles, wild turkeys, different song birds, white tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons and rabbits.
• Visitor Center – Learn about the history of the mounds with exhibits and watch a short film about the significance of the site.
• Guided Tours – Park ranger led guided tours are available throughout the summer daily at different times. These are a must do and very educational, some of them need to be scheduled in advance.
• Junior Ranger Program – Grab a junior ranger activity book, complete the activities and receive a junior ranger badge.
• Junior Ranger Hikes – There are special junior ranger hikes that are educational hikes and tours geared specifically for children. They will learn about birdwatching, animals, archaeology, American Indian games and more.

2. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is located in West Branch, Iowa. It offers visitors the opportunity to learn about Hoover’s life, his humanitarian efforts, and his presidency through exhibits, tours, and educational programs.

Born in 1874 in a small cottage still on the property in West Branch, Hoover grew up in the town before eventually becoming the President in 1929.

History of the Park

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site was established as a national historic site in 1965 to preserve the birthplace of the 31st President of the United States. The historic site includes Hoover’s birthplace cottage, his father’s blacksmith shop, the Quaker meetinghouse, and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

Things to Do 

• Tour Hoover’s Birthplace Cottage – Explore the small cottage where Herbert Hoover was born and learn about his early life and upbringing.
• Visit the Presidential Library and Museum – Look at exhibits about Hoover’s life, including his presidency, humanitarian efforts, and contributions to society.
• Blacksmith Shop – See the reconstructed blacksmith shop where Hoover’s father worked and learn about the importance of this blacksmith trade in the late 19th century.
• One-Room Schoolhouse – There is a replica of a one room schoolhouse similar to the one that Herbert Hoover was educated in.
• Ranger-Led Programs: Participate in guided tours and ranger programs to learn even more about President Hoover.

National Historic Trails in Iowa

Iowa is also home to two very fascinating National Historic Trails: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. These National Historic Trails are part of the National Trails System administered by the National Park Service. 

The NPS maintains the trail markers, provides educational programs and makes sure the cultural history of the trails are protected.

3. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail stretches approximately 4,900 square miles across 16 states, including Iowa. It follows the route taken on the Lewis and Clark Expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from 1804 to 1806.

History of the Park

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail became a national trail when it was established by an act of Congress on November 10, 1978. This legislation designated the trail as a part of the National Park Service.

The trail is still being developed, and offers a great opportunity to trace the steps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition all over the Western United States. This would make for an exciting road trip and educational experience for the whole family.

Things to Do

• Lewis and Clark Trail Jr. Ranger Program – Pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet to learn about the place you are visiting along the trail and why that area was important to the Lewis and Clark expedition. You can earn a badge when you are finished.
• Lewis and Clark Trail for Kids – This webpage has videos with park rangers, printable coloring pages to learn bird and animals in the indigenous languages and more.
• Wildlife viewing and bird watching.
• Hiking, bicycling, picnics and relaxing in nature.
• Visit the different museums, monuments, historic parks, state parks and nature centers found along the trail in Iowa.
• Interactive map of the trail – This is a very detailed interactive map of the visitor centers an museums located on the entire route of the trail.

Lewis and Clark Trail Sites to Visit in Iowa

There are many museums, outdoor recreational activities, state parks, wildlife refuges, nature centers and monuments along the trail in Iowa. These are full of opportunities to explore nature and learn about the exhibition that passed through Iowa specifically.

• Western Historic Trails Center
• Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
• Lewis and Clark State Park (Iowa)
• Little Sioux, Iowa
• Mondamin, Iowa
• Lake Manawa State Park
• Lewis and Clark Trail Cycle Route
• Harrison County Historical Village & Iowa Welcome Center
• Mills County Historical Museum
• Sioux City Public Museum
• Remnant of Sergeant Floyd’s casket at Sioux City Public Museum
• Hitchcock Nature Center
• Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
• Sergeant Floyd Monument
• Lewis and Clark Monument at Rainbow Point, Council Bluffs

4. Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail

Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail is located in five states. It commemorates the 1,300 mile long journey of the Mormon pioneers as they traveled seeking religious freedom. The trail starts in Nauvoo, Illinois and ends in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Mormon Pioneer Trail follows the path that Brigham Young and other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) took between 1846 and 1869. It is a great place to visit if you are learning about the history of the Mormons.

History of the Park

The Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail was designated as a national historic trail on November 10, 1978, by an act of Congress. It was designated to recognize the importance of the trail in American history and to preserve the areas and historic sites along the trail.

Things to do

• Mormon Pioneer Trail Jr. Ranger Program – Download the free Junior Ranger activity pack for activities to do while you are along the trail. You can email it back to them and receive a free badge for participating.
• Take an auto tour of the trail as you drive through the different scenic routes. The audio will tell you where to stop and give you historical information along the way.
• Visit the different historic sites and memorials to learn more about the Mormon history and pioneer life.
• There are campsites, parks for picnics, and many opportunities to explore out in nature.
• National Historic Trails Lesson Plan – Download a free lesson plan to teach your children about the different perspectives of the travelers that went on the trail.

Trail sites to visit in Iowa

There are 9 different trail sites to visit that are located on this trail in Iowa. There are museums, visitor’s centers, parks, campsites, monuments and more.

• Prairie Trails Museum
• Richardson’s Point
• Montrose Landing
• Western Historic Trails Center
• Mount Pisgah Historic Site
• Locust Creek Campsite
• Grand Encampment
• Garden Grove Trailside Historic Park
• Bonaparte Riverfront Park

Other National Park State Posts

Each month we are creating new content about the amazing national parks that you are going to want to see on your next visit to a new state. These are the states that we have already covered with detailed links and information:

7 Arkansas National Parks to Visit on National Arkansas Day

7 Great National Parks in Missouri to Visit with Kids 

Four Unique National Parks in Southern Florida to Visit 

How Many National Parks Are There in Texas? (Complete List) 

The Best National Parks in Southern California

Field Trip Journal Pack

Our Field Trip Journal Pack will help take your national park visits to the next level educationally. Your children will enjoy recording and drawing what they saw and what they learned on their visits to the different parks and national monuments.

This 14 page printable notebooking pack has:

Printables to record their field trip in story format, sketching and drawing and more. Print out a map of the 50 states and color in which states you have gone on field trips to.

There is even a bucket list to write down which field trips you want to take in the future, as well as a list to record all the trips you have ever taken.