These Iowa Hiking Trails and Breweries are the Perfect Pairings

Trails: Spanning over 580 acres of open grasslands, reconstructed prairie and oak woodlands, Hillview Recreation Area is a perfect place for outdoor exploration. Set off on over five miles of multi-use trails to admire Hinton’s scenery and wildlife. To loop the entire park, take on the 2.7-mile-long Green Trail, or complete the smaller loops that make up the Orange, Red and Blue Trails. The Butterfly Garden makes a great pit stop to rest your legs.  

Tastes: Started by two Sioux City natives at their home, Oscar Carl Vineyard offers stunning views of the rolling Loess Hills, mature cottonwood trees and a spring-fed pond. Grab a glass of wine to enjoy on the outdoor patios and sit back to admire the views. Check the vineyard’s events calendar to catch food trucks, wine pairing meals, holiday celebrations and more. 

Make it an overnight: Book a room at the Stoney Creek Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or The Warrior, all located minutes away in downtown Sioux City. 

Trails: Spend a day immersed in nature at Lake Pahoja Recreation Area. Located near Larchwood, the 282-acre park boasts a 72-acre lake surrounded by restored habitats. Bring your walking shoes to enjoy a stroll on the four-mile paved trail that circles the water. Get extra steps in by playing or walking the nine-hole disc golf course. 

Tastes: Rock River Brewing Company brews all its beers inside a historic building in downtown Rock Rapids and offers an ever-changing selection of tap brews as well as wines and soda. If you’re hungry, peek at the brewery’s collection of menus from local restaurants. There are three restaurants within walking distance, allowing you to pair your meal with a craft brew. 

Make it an overnight: Head to Island Park Campground to snag a campsite or book one of the two cozy cabins. 

Trails: There’s no better way to experience Iowa’s unique Loess Hills than on foot. Embark on a hiking adventure at  Blackburn State Park, a 1,000-acre unit within Waubonsie State Park, to admire 72-acres of Loess Hills prairie, woodland, ridgetops and valleys. Drive or hike into the park (the gates close in the winter) to complete its two miles of grass trails. The Paradise Valley and Bobcat trails both start near the restrooms. Bobcat Trail winds through the woods and wraps around to end at the gazebo and overlook, while Paradise Valley Trail starts and ends in the same spot but includes a short loop at the halfway point.

Tastes: Then, hop back in the car and take a rest on the 30-minute drive to Bodega Victoriana Winery in Glenwood. It’s known as one of the largest wineries in the area, and features Spain-inspired wines and small plates. Choose a wine from the vast selection, then pair it with a cheese and/or meat board, salmon board or freshly made flatbread pizza. 

Make it an overnight: Complete the day’s adventure with a one-of-a-kind glamping experience inside one of Best Nest Farm’s beautifully outfitted 1800s-style covered wagons. 

Trails: Test your legs with Green Valley State Park’s 10+ miles of hiking trails. Winding through wetland areas, woodland and native prairies, the trails combine pavement and road routes to offer views of every kind. The 8.8-mile Green Valley Lake Trail is open year-round and winds all the way around the water, starting as a paved trail that leads to well-mowed grass. It also connects to the Park to Park trail, which extends into Creston’s McKinley Park. 

Tastes: Named for the community’s Hot Air Balloon festival, Hot Air Brewing features 12 beers brewed in-house, as well as house-made Italian sodas and ciders from Jefferson County Ciderworks. Pay attention to their events calendar to catch local food trucks, or order takeout from a local restaurant to pair with your brew. Otherwise, grab some popcorn and a board game for a relaxing night spent among locals. 

Make it an overnight: Head back to Green Valley State Park to spend a night in one of their three cozy cabins or book a room at one of the many chain hotels in Creston.

Trails: Banner Lakes Summerset State Park sits nestled in the rolling landscape between Des Moines and Indianola. Once the site of a coal mine, the area has been transformed into a quiet destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Take a leisurely stroll on the two-mile paved loop trail that connects to the local trail system. For a casual hike, set off on the 1.2-mile Riverside Trail, which follows the Middle River’s shoreline. Or challenge yourself by hiking the Coal Miner’s Daughter trail, a difficult trek that begins at the northeast parking lot and winds around and between the area’s small lakes, eventually connecting with the Missing Link Trail to loop back to the main road.

Tastes: Enjoy shareables like Milton Creamery cheese and Amana sausages paired with award-winning wines at Summerset Winery. Known as one of Iowa’s oldest wineries, it offers wine tastings and cellar tours for those eager to dive into the wine-making process. Plan ahead to catch their Sunday Tunes event, which runs from May to October. If you’re visiting during the summer months, be sure to bring lawn chairs as the limited seating fills up fast. 

Make it an overnight: Grab a room at the Hotel Pommier for some rest and relaxation.

Trails: If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt near Maxwell is a must-visit. It boasts over 8,000 acres of magnificent wildlife habitats, including wetlands, prairies, woodlands and Skunk River oxbows. Bring your hiking shoes and set off on the grass Jack Pine Trail, an easy 2.1-mile out and back route, or the casual 1.1-mile Cardinal Flower Loop, among others. All trails are open year-round and offer excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. For the best wildlife viewing opportunity, take your time and keep an eye out for deer, foxes and waterfowl. 

Tastes: Visit downtown Bondurant and rest your legs at Reclaimed Rails Brewing. Sample the microbrewery’s 16 handcrafted brews and grab dinner from the restaurant next door to satisfy your appetite. Plan ahead to catch live music, game nights, beer releases and more events throughout the year. If you’re visiting on a summer weekend, be prepared for a packed tasting room. 

Make it an overnight: Enjoy a comfortable stay at one of the nearby chain hotels in Altoona.

Trails: Commonly referred to as “Little Switzerland” for its rugged topography, Volga River State Recreation Area offers a unique outdoor experience in Fayette. Spanning over 5,700 acres, it features 20+ miles of multi-use, year-round trails that offer stunning steel bridge crossings and views of rock formations, prairie and natural woodlands. The trails range in difficulty, from the taxing 4.5-mile Lima Trail and the moderate 2.6-mile Frog Hollow Trail to the 3.3-mile easy to conquer Prairie Trail.

Tastes: Heaven Boutique Winery offers more than 110 native wines and complimentary wine tastings every day. If you’re visiting between May and September, you can also enjoy a meal from rotating food trucks and catch live music on Friday nights. The winery’s grain bin pizzeria serves stone-fired Neapolitan pizzas, charcuterie boards and Bavarian pretzels on weekends late May through late October. 

Make it an overnight: Book the winery’s Chicken Coop AirBnb. 

Trails: Experience some of the best outdoor recreation in northeast Iowa at Yellow River State Forest. Located near Harpers Ferry, the park’s 8,900 acres are divided into six units to suit the needs of each visitor. The Paint Creek Unit is the largest and boasts nearly 20 miles of hiking trails. Test your legs on the 13.5-mile loop trail that takes an average of five and a half hours to complete. For a less intense, but still challenging hike, set out on the 5.4-mile out and back Firetower / Saddle Trail. Or, for a casual hike to admire the views, stroll the 1-mile hike to the South Mississippi Overlook. The Paint Rock Unit offers another eight miles of trails and backpacking camping sites to explore. 

Tastes: Refuel with a hearty meal and brews at Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery in McGregor. They offer a variety of local and commercial beers on tap along with a food menu comprised of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and made-from-scratch soups. 

Make it an overnight: Choose between McGregor’s several charming lodging opportunities and vacation rentals, including the Little Switzerland Inn, The McGregor House and Bluffside Retreat.

Trails: Located outside of Mount Vernon, Palisades Kepler State Park is especially known for its dramatic river bluffs, deep ravines, majestic hardwood trees and Native American mounds. It spans over 840 acres and boasts 5+ miles of rugged hiking trails. Set off on the two-mile Cedar Cliff Trail, an easy out and back, to admire the Cedar River shoreline. This trail also connects with the rest of the park’s trails, allowing hikers to create their own loops through the area’s hills and technical rocky sections. 

Tastes: At Glyn Mawr Winery/The Local in Mount Vernon, you can sample their collection of locally made wines, peruse the large retail area’s home décor, local goods and gifts, and catch events like Bingo and trivia nights, live music, food trucks, classes and more. For dinner, make a quick pitstop at a local restaurant to bring and pair with your wine. Or The Local offers gourmet snacks such as chips and salsa or queso and cheese and crackers. 

Make it an overnight: Snag a campsite at Palisades-Kepler State Park or spend a night in luxury at the Bracket House B&B. 

Trails: As one of the most photographed state parks in Iowa, you’ve probably indirectly seen Wildcat Den’s canyons, cliffs and rock formations. See it for yourself by embarking on a hike of the Muscatine park’s scenic and historic trails. The 4.2-mile loop trail starts in the parking lot and winds along a cliff face before leading hikers past creeks, across five bridges and past unique sites. The Devil’s Punch Bowl offers a great place to stop and admire the waterfall that appears after rainfall or snowmelt, and you won’t want to miss the Steamboat Rock, a 300-million-year-old sandstone rock formation whose narrow passageways hide carvings that date back 150 years. Be sure to also visit the Pine Creek Grist Mill, which is the only functioning grist mill that remains west of the Mississippi River. 

Tastes: Contrary Brewing Company in Muscatine is recognized as the community’s only craft brewery and features 20 taps of Contrary beers, seltzers and other locally made ciders, wines and canned cocktails. Select your drink of choice and place an order for a savory flatbread or appetizers, then enjoy your meal on the patio overlooking the river. 

Make it an overnight: Book an upscale hotel room at The Merrill Hotel, the community’s boutique lodging spot.