Backpacking in Iowa offers immense variety for outdoor enthusiasts, from the dense forests of eastern Iowa to the vast prairies and loess hills of the west. Popular destinations include Yellow River Forest, Maquoketa Caves, and Backbone State Park.
And that’s what this post is all about – backpacking in Iowa. We’ll provide tips to help you prepare for backpacking in this diverse state as well as showcase the TOP 5 multi-day trails.
Interested? Let’s get started.
Discover Iowa’s breathtaking backpacking trails amidst varied landscapes:
Length: 62.2 mi / 100.1 km
Type: Point to point
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1548 ft / 472 m
Location: Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 12 700 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
Experience the 62-mile Wabash Trace point-to-point trail through Iowa’s rolling hills. It is a moderately challenging route popular for hiking, biking, and birding year-round. Enjoy farm fields and Loess Hills views, with some solitude during quiet times. Prepare for changeable weather on this rails-to-trails route, rich in natural beauty. Overall, it’s a memorable journey through quintessential Iowa landscapes.
Granger Meador, CC BY-SA 2.0, via flickr
Length: 52 mi / 83.7 km
Type: Point to point
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: NA
Location: Evansdale
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 9250 calories
More Details: See on Iowa By Trail
This 52-mile trail follows the Cedar River through scenic Iowa bottomlands. Easy year-round hiking on paved and limestone surfaces. See lots of wildlife in the 25-mile Important Bird Area. Visit native prairies and historical sites. Connects communities, parks and trails. Enjoy natural beauty along the wooded banks and open views. A great Midwest trail to observe plants, animals and landscapes.
Length: 13.5 mi / 21.7 km
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1653 ft / 504 m
Location: Yellow River State Forest
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 4800 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
Journey through scenic countryside on this challenging 13.5-mile loop trail near Waterville, Iowa. A hilly route rich in natural beauty, perfect for backpacking, birding and camping from April-October. Stop to take in panoramic views from high ridges. Free backcountry camping with registration at one of four campgrounds. Parts of the trail are shared with equestrians and can get muddy. With changeable weather, free camping and overlooked beauty, this is an Iowa gem waiting to be discovered.
Photo by Stephen J Taylor
Length: 13.1 mi / 21.1 km
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1571 ft / 479 m
Location: Loess Hills State Forest – Little Sioux Unit
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 4750 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
Try this challenging 13.1-mile loop trail near Moorhead, Iowa, perfect for backpacking, birding and camping. Enjoy some solitude on this scenic route with beautiful views. Best times are October through October. Features maintained trails in Preparation Canyon State Park and Loess Hills State Forest. Hike-in and primitive camping options available. A long, tough hike with minimal bugs and people. Trails can be tricky to follow at times. An overlooked Iowa gem with wooded hills, valleys and camping.
Length: 11 mi / 17.7 km
Type: Point to point
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2142 ft / 653 m
Location: Loess Hills State Forest – Little Sioux Unit
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 4900 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
Try this challenging 11.0-mile point-to-point trail near Little Sioux, Iowa, perfect for backpacking, camping and hiking with solitude. Best times are April through June. Bike 6 miles to the Murray Hill trailhead then hike the scenic Bent’s Trail with beautiful valley views. Dispersed camping allowed. The hills can be brutal and ticks are common in summer. An overlooked gem in western Iowa with rugged terrain.
Prepare for quickly changing Midwest weather any time of year with temps ranging from below freezing in winter to hot and humid mid-summer:
Prior to choosing your gear, review the weather data for Iowa (Burlington):
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 32 | 37 | 49 | 62 | 73 | 82 | 85 | 83 | 76 | 64 | 49 | 35 |
| Low °F | 15 | 20 | 30 | 42 | 52 | 62 | 66 | 64 | 56 | 44 | 31 | 19 |
| Rainy days | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Not sure if Iowa is right for you?
Don’t forget to check out our backpacking guides for Nebraska and Minnesota.
Campfires are regulated while backpacking in Iowa and generally prohibited during dry conditions due to the risk of prairie and forest fires. Portable backpacking stoves are a safer alternative for cooking meals. If fires are allowed, use established rings in designated campsites only. Check for burn bans and fire danger warnings which restrict fires during summer and fall.
Exploring remote areas in Iowa demands careful planning. Bring detailed maps and a compass or GPS, as trails can be tricky in rolling prairies. Wear bright colors during hunting seasons. Stay updated on weather and find shelter in electrical storms. Be cautious about flash floods after heavy rains. Use bug spray to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses. Purify water from backcountry sources to stay safe. Share your hiking plans when alone and think about a satellite messenger. Avoid marshy spots to prevent getting stuck or losing shoes in mud.
Be careful around animals in Iowa’s backcountry. Stay away from grazing livestock like cows and bison. Make noise to avoid surprising snakes in prairie grass and woodlands. Don’t approach wild animals. Use bear bags to store food right. Check for deer ticks regularly. If bitten or stung, remove the insect carefully and clean the wound to prevent infection. Carry a first aid kit and meds for allergies. Although Iowa doesn’t have big predators, its residents can harm if provoked.
