Right now, staying at home is the right call for anyone in the Hawkeye State. Though it may be tempting to head out and explore your favorite spots as the weather warms up, for the safety of everyone, take the next few months to make a list of the places you’ll get to know when we’re all free to travel around again. For some inspiration, check out a few of the best photo spots in Iowa! Did your favorite Instagrammable spot make our list?
- The Bridges of Madison County
Flickr / Photolibrarian The world-famous Bridges of Madison County are some of the most iconic landmarks in Iowa! Visit any of the remaining covered bridges for a movie-star photo shoot.
- Port of Dubuque
Flickr / SD irk The charming Port of Dubuque is a great spot for architecture, landscape, and street photographers to practice their craft. Visit the Mississippi River museum to learn all about the region!
- Loess Hills Lavender Farm
Facebook / Loess Hills Lavender Farm There are few places more charming than the Loess Hills Lavender Farm! Visit in the heat of summer for a fragrant photo shoot.
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Flickr / Jason Mrachina Des Moines is home to the one-of-a-kind Pappajohn Sculpture Park! Artists and creatives fall in love with this park every time they walk through.
- Lake Macbride State Park
Flickr / Rich Herrman When it comes to Instragrammable spots in Iowa, it’s hard to beat Lake Macbride State Park The cascades and spillway are well known photo spots in Iowa.
- Lake Okoboji
Mary Fairchild/Flickr Practice your photography skills at the scenic Okoboji Lake! One of the most Instagrammed spots in the state, it’s sure to delight you all summer long.
- Hitchcock Nature Center
Flickr / Matt Harriger When you’re looking for a remote photo spot in Iowa, head to the Loess Hills. Hitchcock Nature Center showcases stunning views that your Instagram followers won’t believe come from the Hawkeye State.
- High Trestle Trail Bridge
Flickr / Jason Mrachina The breathtaking High Trestle Trail Bridge has become one of the most photographed places in all of Iowa. Visit at sunset for a truly mesmerizing sight.
- Maquoketa State Park
Flickr / Michael Kappel The unique Maquoketa Caves State Park is a great place to practice your low-light photography (or iphonography)! These dark caves provide a fantastic canvas for light painting.
- Villages of Van Buren
Flickr / Jon Roanhaus The historic and charming Villages of Van Buren County make for an idea photo day trip destination. It’s not all that often you feel like you can step right back in time while traveling through the Hawkeye State!
- Malanaphy Springs
Google Local / Lisa Gruette The towering Malanaphy Springs is a hidden waterfall that’s well off the beaten path. Hike about a mile back to find it, and while you’re there, explore the cliffsides to find that perfect photo angle.
- Beeds Lake
Facebook / Beeds Lake Park Finally, the Beeds Lake Spillway is one of the most photographed spots in the Midwest! Make time to check it out on a family-friendly park adventure.
Where are your favorite photo spots in Iowa? Let us know in the comments below, or nominate them using this link!
Flickr / Photolibrarian
The world-famous Bridges of Madison County are some of the most iconic landmarks in Iowa! Visit any of the remaining covered bridges for a movie-star photo shoot.
Flickr / SD irk
The charming Port of Dubuque is a great spot for architecture, landscape, and street photographers to practice their craft. Visit the Mississippi River museum to learn all about the region!
Facebook / Loess Hills Lavender Farm
There are few places more charming than the Loess Hills Lavender Farm! Visit in the heat of summer for a fragrant photo shoot.
Flickr / Jason Mrachina
Des Moines is home to the one-of-a-kind Pappajohn Sculpture Park! Artists and creatives fall in love with this park every time they walk through.
Flickr / Rich Herrman
When it comes to Instragrammable spots in Iowa, it’s hard to beat Lake Macbride State Park The cascades and spillway are well known photo spots in Iowa.
Mary Fairchild/Flickr
Practice your photography skills at the scenic Okoboji Lake! One of the most Instagrammed spots in the state, it’s sure to delight you all summer long.
Flickr / Matt Harriger
When you’re looking for a remote photo spot in Iowa, head to the Loess Hills. Hitchcock Nature Center showcases stunning views that your Instagram followers won’t believe come from the Hawkeye State.
The breathtaking High Trestle Trail Bridge has become one of the most photographed places in all of Iowa. Visit at sunset for a truly mesmerizing sight.
Flickr / Michael Kappel
The unique Maquoketa Caves State Park is a great place to practice your low-light photography (or iphonography)! These dark caves provide a fantastic canvas for light painting.
Flickr / Jon Roanhaus
The historic and charming Villages of Van Buren County make for an idea photo day trip destination. It’s not all that often you feel like you can step right back in time while traveling through the Hawkeye State!
Google Local / Lisa Gruette
The towering Malanaphy Springs is a hidden waterfall that’s well off the beaten path. Hike about a mile back to find it, and while you’re there, explore the cliffsides to find that perfect photo angle.
Facebook / Beeds Lake Park
Finally, the Beeds Lake Spillway is one of the most photographed spots in the Midwest! Make time to check it out on a family-friendly park adventure.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Madison County, IA, USAAddress: Port of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA 52001, USAAddress: Loess Hills Lavender Farm, 2278 Loess Hills Trail, Missouri Valley, IA 51555, USAAddress: Pappajohn Sculpture Park, 1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USAAddress: Lake MacBride, Lake McBride, Iowa 52333, USAAddress: West Okoboji Lake, Iowa, USAAddress: Hitchcock Nature Center, 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542, USAAddress: High Trestle Trail, Madrid, IA, USAAddress: Maquoketa Caves State Park, 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USAAddress: Van Buren County, MI, USAAddress: Malanaphy Spring Falls, 2820 Bluffton Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101Address: Beeds Lake, Mott, IA 50441, USA
