Parks and recreation in Iowa

Parks, Gardens & Recreation

This collection spans Iowa's diverse recreational landscape, from the limestone formations of Maquoketa Caves State Park to the historic grounds of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. It features prominent botanical gardens in Des Moines and Dubuque alongside major sporting venues like Kinnick Stadium and the Iowa Speedway. The list also includes archaeological sites, regional parks, and several public golf courses, offering a mix of natural beauty, local history, and outdoor activity.

Rotary Reserve

80-acre park in Cedar Falls featuring a lodge, prairie areas, and wooded trails along the Cedar River.

Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

The Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, or Marshall Park, is a 56 acres arboretum and botanical gardens established in 1980.

Coalfather / CC BY-SA 4.0

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

The Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B.

JonClee86 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Lewis & Clark Landing

Lewis and Clark Landing is a public park located at 515 North Riverfront Drive in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

Billwhittaker / CC BY-SA 3.0

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park System in West Branch, Iowa, United States.

Iowahwyman (Talk / contribs) / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a 17-acre botanical garden located near downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States, on the east…

Maquoketa Caves State Park

State park featuring a six-mile trail system connecting numerous limestone caves, rugged bluffs, and a natural bridge.

Albany Mounds Site

Albany Mounds State Historic Site, also known as Albany Mounds Site, is a historic site operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation…

Pioneer Courage Park

Urban park in downtown Omaha featuring one of the world's largest bronze sculpture installations, depicting a pioneer wagon train.

Bickelhaupt Arboretum

14-acre arboretum in Clinton featuring over 2,000 labeled trees and shrubs, including a significant collection of dwarf conifers.

Matt Owen / CC BY 2.0

Iowa Speedway

Iowa Speedway is a 7⁄8 mile oval short track in Newton, Iowa. Since its inaugural season of racing in 2006, the track has hosted a variety…

Foxhunt king / CC BY 2.5

Kinnick Stadium

Historic Nile Kinnick Stadium is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States.

Jaretac / PD

Jack Trice Stadium

Jack Trice Stadium is a stadium located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Primarily used for college football, it is the home field of the Iowa…

Feddacheenee / Public domain

UNI-Dome

UNI-Dome is a multi-purpose stadium, on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States.

Rolling Hills Golf Course

18-hole public golf course located in Norwalk.

Edmundson Golf Course

18-hole municipal golf course in Oskaloosa designed by architect Richard Watson.

Harvest Point Golf Course

9-hole public golf course located in Oskaloosa.

Other Lists

Iowa's Essential Experiences Iowa's Christian Heritage Sites Iowa's Historical & Heritage Trail