Iowa Hiking and Backpacking Trips

Des Moines: River Trail Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Escape the daily grind: This scenic loop links fields and forests, trails and some roads for a relaxing 6.5-mile tour around the Des Moines River. Caution: This loop crosses a bridge on I-80; plan trip during low traffic hours.

Des Moines, IA: Zirbel's Trail

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Enjoy a quiet escape, plus fine lake and forest views, when you travel along the scenic Winnebago River on this 6.3-mile loop to an old brewery site and rock quarry.

Davenport, IA: Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Follow this 3-miler through glacial moraine and across a man-made dam for panoramic views of Johnson Lake, a snack-bar pit stop, and a sampling of this state recreation area's year-round attractions.

Des Moines: North Skunk River

BACKPACKER Review
Believe us: Nothing stinks about this place. This 5-mile out-and-back along the greenbelt of the North Skunk River is teaming with wildlife and migrating waterfowl.

Des Moines: Jester Park Lake Shore Route

BACKPACKER Review
This great 5-mile lasso-loop links up several trails and is the best way to explore the NW end of Saylorville Lake.

Des Moines: River Trail Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Escape the daily grind: This scenic loop links fields and forests, trails and some roads for a relaxing 6.5-mile tour around the Des Moines River. Caution: This loop crosses a bridge on I-80; plan trip during low traffic hours.

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Readers' Choice: Southeast

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Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the southeast.

Trip Finder: Great Plains

BACKPACKER Review
Your favorite Great Plains hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.

Readers' Choice: Great Plains

BACKPACKER Review
Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the Great Plains states.

Midwest Readers' Choice Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
Mississippi river vistas, ocean-size grasslands, and guaranteed solitude.

Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Nachusa Grasslands, IL

BACKPACKER Review
Explore a vast, trail-free prairie.

Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Aurora Borealis Isle Royale NP, MI

BACKPACKER Review
See the country's best light show.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

Life's Short, Hike More!

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.