Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park is a 960-acre Iowa State Park along the Mississippi River in Clayton County.  The park protects a 500-foot bluff overlooking the Mississippi River at the confluence with the Wisconsin River.  In 1805, Zebulon Pike was sent to explore the Mississippi River Valley and choose a location for a military fort.  Pike selected the bluff, overlooking the river, now known as Pikes Peak, though the government ended up choosing a location across the river.  The area became an state park in 1935.  Today, there are several miles of trails, overlooks with panoramic views of the river, a campground and concession stands.

Contact Information:

32264 Pikes Peak Road

McGregor, IA 52157-8558

Phone: (563) 873-2341

Email: Pikes_Peak@dnr.iowa.gov

Directions:

From MacGregor, go southwest on Main Street and then turn left on Great River Road.  Drive 1.9 miles and turn left onto Pikes Peak Road to enter the park.

Map:

Points of Interest:

Bridal Veil Falls:

Bridal Veil Falls is a small overhanging waterfall that you can walk behind.

Crow's Nest Overlook:

Another overlook of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, accessed from Bridal Veil Trail.

Lower Overlook:

Overlook below the main overlook with views at the Wisconsin River confluence.

Pikes Peak Overlook:

The main overlook in the park with beautiful panoramic views above the Mississippi River.

Blog Entries:

30-Aug-2020: Waterfalls of Iowa

External Links:

Iowa State Parks website: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/parkdetails/parkid/610141