Malanaphy Springs State Preserve

Malanaphy Springs State Preserve is a 64-acre Iowa State Preserve along the Upper Iowa River in Winneshiek County.  Part of the land was given to the state by Fred Biermann in 1947 and the preserve was officially dedicated in 1994.  The park features a large spring feeding a waterfall in the Upper Iowa River.  A 1-mile trail leads to the spring and waterfall.

Contact Information:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Upper Iowa Wildlife Unit

2296 Oil Well Road

Decorah, IA 52101

Phone: (563) 382-4895

Directions:

From IA-9 and US-52 in Decorah, go north on US-52 for 2.2 miles and turn left on Pole Line Road.  In another 2.2 miles, turn right on Bluffton Road.  Go 0.7 miles and turn right into the small parking area just before the bridge over Upper Iowa River.

Map:

Trails:

Malanaphy Springs Trail:

A 1-mile trail leads from the parking area to the springs and waterfall, passing by cliffs and rock outcrops along Upper Iowa River.

Points of Interest:

Malanaphy Springs:

Malanaphy Springs is a natural spring that originates from a crevice in the cliff walls high above the river.

Malanaphy Springs Waterfall:

The water from the spring tumbles down to the river, falling over a 10-foot waterfall.

Wildlife:

Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

Blog Entries:

30-Aug-2020: Waterfalls of Iowa

External Links:

Visit Decorah website: https://www.visitdecorah.com/business/malanaphy-springs