If you’re looking for fantastic places for adventure this spring, summer, and fall, we have the ultimate guide to the best state parks in the Midwest. By their very nature, these Midwest State Parks are home to the greatest natural treasures of this diverse region.
States like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois are home to some truly stunning state parks in the Midwest. These parks serve as gateways to experiencing many of the Midwest’s best features, including unique geological formations, lush forests, sprawling prairies, and abundant wildlife. They are places for locals and visitors to engage with the environment, delve into the area’s natural history, and participate in a variety of outdoor activities that rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.
The Midwest states provide a dynamic backdrop for state park visits regardless of season. From the long, warm summer days and the vibrant pops of color amid fall foliage season to a broad network of skiable trails in the winter and thundering waterfalls in the spring, state parks in the Midwest offer one unforgettable adventure after another. From the lush woods and lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin to the vast open prairies of Iowa and Nebraska and everything in between, a rich tapestry of adventure, culture, and history is at your fingertips on these storied parklands.
If you’re looking for unforgettable experiences beyond the boundless beauty of these fantastic parks, consider joining us for a different kind of adventure at the unique lodging properties found within the Midwest Association of Independent Inns. Our lodging properties range from cozy cabins to luxurious boutique hotels in thriving urban centers, and all offer an intimate home base from which to venture out into the surrounding communities and landscapes.
Wherever you travel in the Midwest, our collection offers a personal and enriching travel experience. From the most popular state parks in the Midwest to underrated treasures and hidden gems, we’d love nothing more than to share the best of the Midwest with you. Check availability at our incredible collection of Midwest Inns and find your next dream destination today!
The Best State Parks in the Midwest to Visit
If you’re looking for unparalleled opportunities to surround yourself with epic natural beauty and explore diverse and natural landscapes, look no further than state parks in the Midwest. While National Parks offer grand adventures and access to some of our country’s most sacred, protected lands, state parks do the same thing, just on a smaller scale. While some people consider America’s heartland “flyover country,” we’re here to tell you it’s a surprisingly diverse and breathtakingly beautiful part of the world – and it’s more than worth your time.
Pick any number of state parks in the Midwest, and you’ll find a unique story that has unfolded over decades, centuries, and even millennia. From centuries-old old-growth forests to million-year-old sandstone gorges carved by the unforgiving forces of nature, state parks across the Midwest tell a fascinating story – and it’s a story we love to share with every guest who crosses a threshold into one of our Midwest Inns. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone seeking a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Midwest’s state parks offer something for everyone.
From the majestic forests and pristine lakes of Minnesota to the rolling hills and rich farmlands of Iowa, each park presents a unique slice of nature’s best work. They are perfect destinations for families, solo travelers, and groups looking for memorable outdoor experiences, each offering a range of engaging activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and even winter sports. In short, state parks in the Midwest offer visitors a genuine opportunity to connect with the natural world.
As you plan your journey through the Midwest, here are some of the top state parks to include in your itinerary:
The Best Wisconsin State Parks
Each park offers a unique slice of Wisconsin’s natural beauty, from lakes and rivers to forests and bluffs, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
- Apart from being one of the most popular Wisconsin State Parks, Devil’s Lake State Park is also one of the most iconic state parks in the Midwest. It is located in central Wisconsin and is renowned for its stunning bluffs, clear lake, and over 29 miles of hiking trails.
- If you’re looking for fun along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, head to Peninsula State Park in Wisconsin’s scenic Door County. This Wisconsin State Park offers breathtaking views along the craggy bluffs of the Niagara Escarpment, miles of shoreline for paddling, a beautiful network of hiking and biking trails, and a historic lighthouse.
- Deep in the heart of northern Wisconsin, you’ll find a State Park home to breathtaking waterfalls, deep gorges, and scenic trails. Copper Falls State Park, home to ancient lava flows and historic buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, is one of the most beautiful state parks in the Midwest.
- Walk amongst the dunes and beaches of the beautiful Kohler-Andrae State Park, a beautiful example of coastal ecosystems among Wisconsin State Parks. Today, this protected park is one of the last bastions of natural preservation along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- Get to know Wisconsin’s scenic Driftless Area at the beautiful Wyalusing State Park. This stunning park is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, offering visitors scenic high bluffs for excellent hiking and exquisite birdwatching opportunities.
Best Minnesota State Parks
These Minnesota State Parks showcase the state’s diverse and stunning natural beauty, providing endless opportunities for exploration and outdoor activities.
- If you’ve ever wondered where the Mississippi River begins, you’ll find its headwaters at Itasca State Park in Minnesota. Apart from the headwaters, this beautiful Midwest State Park offers plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing and is home to a beautiful old-growth forest.
- One of the most recognizable state parks in the Midwest is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park near Duluth, Minnesota. This beautiful Minnesota State Park sits on the bluffs high above Lake Superior and is home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States.
- The Midwest is home to some truly fascinating geological history, and one of the most interesting places to explore it is Interstate State Park in Minnesota. This park is unique for the potholes you’ll find here, which were carved out by receding glacial melt.
- Carve out a slice of natural paradise just outside the urban core of Minnesota’s vibrant Twin Cities at William O’Brien State Park. This wetland oasis offers plenty of opportunities for camping, fishing, and hiking and is one of the best places for birdwatching the St. Croix River.
- Head further down the Mississippi River to Southeastern Minnesota, and you’ll find Frontenac State Park in Red Wing. This beautiful park sits high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and offers excellent birdwatching opportunities in Minnesota’s bluff country.
Best Illinois State Parks
Get out and explore the diverse, beautiful state of Illinois at these well-regarded State Parks in the Midwest!
- Starved Rock State Park is, without a doubt, the most popular and beloved State Park in Illinois. In fact, it’s been rated the #1 attraction in the entire state. It offers beautiful seasonal waterfalls, great hiking trails, fishing, boating, and plenty of stunning natural scenery. It’s a great example of the preserved beauty that awaits you at the Midwest’s best state parks.
- In the winter, watch the eagles soar at Mississippi Palisades State Park. This park is found at the confluence of the Apple and Mississippi Rivers and, like several other parks along the Mississippi River Flyway, is a popular stop along the Great River Road.
- Not far from Starved Rock State Park, you’ll find another less visited but just as scenic Illinois State Park. Matthiessen State Park is home to several beautiful waterfalls cascading through picturesque canyons and a mixed ecosystem of prairie and forest.
- Limestone bluffs and deep ravines characterize what you’ll find at Apple River Canyon State Park. The area is characteristic of Driftless zones in the Midwest, where glacial forces left the land relatively untouched and left behind uncharacteristically hilly and exciting geology.
- There’s a theme to many Illinois State Parks, and it’s where big rivers meet. At Pere Marquette State Park, it’s no different. This time, it’s the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers meeting – and the result is a fantastic spot to watch wildlife, enjoy some hiking, and bask in the scenic beauty Illinois is known for.
Best Iowa State Parks
The diversity of Iowa’s landscapes is hard to miss, especially when you venture to these incredible Iowa State Parks!
- If you like to explore caves, Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa is the one for you! This park is home to more caves than any other State Park, but that’s just one of the reasons it’s made our list of the best state parks in the Midwest. Enormous bluffs tower through the park and a beautiful trail system winds through it all, leaving ample opportunity for hiking and exploration of this beautiful, protected swath of land.
- Enjoy scenic bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and beautiful valleys at Pikes Peak State Park. This park offers another vantage point over the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers and affords Iowans fantastic opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and more.
- No trip to Iowa State Parks is complete without a visit to the state’s first: Backbone State Park. Not only was it the first protected State Park in Iowa, but it’s also home to some of the state’s most unique geological formations. Rising from the Maquoketa River is a steep ridge forming the highest point in northeast Iowa. It’s a formation known as the Devil’s Backbone.
- For a bit of Iowa history, combined with some stunning scenery, head to Ledges State Park. With plenty of steep trails and scenic overlooks, this state park is one of the best in the state for hikers.
- If you’ve never visited the Loess Hills of Iowa, now is your chance. There, you’ll find one of our favorite state parks in the Midwest: Preparation Canyon State Park. The park offers beautiful views of this unique part of the state and gives visitors a glimpse into the interesting history of what used to be the town of Preparation.
Best Nebraska State Parks
Nebraska’s state parks offer a blend of beautiful landscapes, unique geological features, and varied recreational activities.
- Hikers, mountain bikers, birdwatching, and nature enthusiasts from all over the country flock to the beautiful Platte River State Park in Nebraska. This stunning park is situated between Omaha and Lincoln and is best known for its waterfalls and scenic trails. There are also observation towers here, which allow for fantastic views of the Platte River Basin.
- Another nearby Nebraska State Park worth visiting is the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. This is one of the more unique state parks in the Midwest, and it’s perfect for families. It features a range of recreational activities, including a family aquatic center, an observation tower, hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, a treetop ropes course, and so much more.
- You may not immediately associate waterfalls with State Parks in Nebraska, but Smith Falls State Park will change your mind. This Midwest State Park, found along the state’s Niobrara River, is home to Nebraska’s highest waterfall. It’s also a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, and camping.
- For even more underground caving fun in the Midwest, head to Indian Cave State Park. This Nebraska State Park is known for its large sandstone cave and miles of hiking and biking trails through its hilly, forested landscape.
- At the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers, you’ll find yet another of our favorite state parks in the Midwest: Niobrara State Park. This scenic park offers epic opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, biking, fishing, boating, and more.
Unwind at the Best Lodging in the Midwest
Each of these fantastic state parks in the Midwest encapsulates the natural beauty and spirit of America’s heartland in a way few other places can. These parks offer far more than wild, untouched beauty, though. They offer visitors a chance to explore the communities, cultures, people, and history of the Midwest. Whether planning a brief visit or an extended stay, these parks will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for this region’s natural landscapes. As you get to know these magnificent natural treasures around the Midwest, we invite you to meet the people that make this region so wonderful.
Midwest Inns is a collection of boutique hotels, Inns, and Bed and Breakfasts around the Midwest. Our Innkeepers are dedicated to providing exceptional hospitality, a warm welcome, and some authentic Midwest spirit to your vacation. Unlike Airbnb and other vacation rentals, our collection of Inns and lodging properties in the Midwest is licensed, inspected, and guaranteed to give you a stay like no other.
As you get ready to plan your itinerary to our most popular Midwest State Parks, we hope you also seek out the best of the Midwest when it comes to lodging and hospitality. Find the perfect Inn for your next getaway, and book your stay today!