Discover Nature’s Hidden Gems in Decorah, Iowa: Upper Iowa River, Dunning’s Spring State Park & More

Decorah, Iowa, has unexpected opportunities for nature, including access to the Upper Iowa River, Dunning’s Spring State Park, and more.

A Quiet Gem in Northeastern Iowa

Tucked among the limestone bluffs of northeastern Iowa, Decorah is a small town better known to locals than to tourists outside the region. With a population of about 7,500, its quiet pace stems from its geography — surrounded by bluffs, prairies, and the Upper Iowa River — keeping both the landscape and the town relatively undeveloped.

Natural Attractions and Outdoor Activities

The wooded hills of Phelps Park offer stone bridges, shaded paths, and overlooks of the valley. Dunning’s Spring Park, located on the east side of town, features one of the tallest waterfalls in Iowa at about 200 feet of cascading drop along mossy rock. Nearby, the Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve is home to one of the largest ice caves in the Midwest, where cool air lingers into summer.

Decorah’s city and county parks provide access to dramatic Driftless terrain. Phelps Park and Dunning’s Spring Park are part of a network of trails that connect with Ice Cave Hill and Palisades Park, allowing for extended exploration. The Trout Run Trail is an 11-mile paved loop that winds past farms, forests, and the Decorah Bald Eagles nesting site.

Volunteer-Maintained Trails and Wildlife Areas

Van Peenan, as locals call it, is Decorah’s largest park at 120 acres and contains miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. These trails wind through tallgrass prairie, dense pine woods, and rocky ravines. Largely built and maintained by local volunteers working with Decorah’s Parks and Recreation office, the trails also connect with Ice Cave Hill, Dunning’s Spring, and Palisades Park. As a wildlife area, Van Peenan does not have facilities for picnicking or camping.