Flyover State, Cullen Powers

The Flyover State

Iowa is a flyover state.

The 29th state is not known as a destination for many travelers. Those searching social media for the most visually appealing locations to explore or camp rarely land here. You won’t find us on many people’s bucket list, but that’s because most people have not actually been to Iowa. I’ve introduced my home state to dozens of friends. Most had never more than driven through Iowa. Now, they have all become repeat visitors, even introducing their out-ofstate friends to Iowa. However, being under appreciated has its upside. In an age where trails, campgrounds, National Parks and the like are bursting at the seams with visitors, and infrastructure is overwhelmed, places like Iowa can still offer easy access to peaceful outdoor environments.

Just 2% of land in Iowa is public. Because of this, much of the camping is found off paved or dirt roads, accessible to everyone. Many sites are modern, but there are still some primitive sites which require hiking in. I have several friends who make a point to find as remote of sites as they can around central Iowa, spending time on Google Earth scouting locations that may otherwise not be marked on any map or labeled on any sign.

Camping is allowed year-round in Iowa. With hot and humid summers, frigid and snowy winters, the busy season, not surprisingly, is usually fall and spring time. Fall 2020 was likely one of the busiest on record, with the influx of recreational activities in the face of the COVID pandemic and the nationwide rise in the popularity of camping over the last 5 to 7 years.

Iowa has the Missouri River and the Mississippi River as bookends to the west and east, respectively. Those two river valleys provide my favorite areas to camp and explore. To the east, Pikes Peak State Park contains rocky bluffs which overlook the winding Mississippi River. Nearby Yellow River State Forest offers scenic trails, great for driving, hiking, or even horseback riding. More great hiking and exploring is available to the south, at Maquoketa Caves State Park and Mines of Spain. On our western

border, near the Missouri River, you will find Loess Hills State Forest. This unique geological shaping comes from centuries of windblown soil settling into rolling hills that stretch all along the river valley. Preparation Canyon State Park is a well-known spot located within the hills, which has several Level B roads (unmaintained) in this area. These types of roads are about as close as you’ll find to “offroading” on public land in Iowa. In the center of the state is Des Moines, our capitol and my home. A handful of great parks surround Des Moines, including Ledges State Park and Jester State Park to the north and Pammel State Park to the south. I’ve spent the most time exploring in these three parks, due to their proximity to home, but camped at them the least, due to their proximity to my bed.

Over the lifetime of the state, Iowa has seen agriculture take precedence over all else. Many prairies, wetlands and forests have long ago been replaced by corn and soybean fields, farms and confinements for cows and hogs. The world class soil in Iowa has been a key to the state’s economy, but a detriment to the natural landscape of the countryside. Through the 99 counties in Iowa, there are 83 state parks and zero national parks. While Iowa’s landscape differs greatly from that of Zion or Yosemite, with the right kind of appreciation, one can find beauty, nonetheless. Not every campsite has to have that epic, Instagram-worthy view. Sometimes it’s just about getting away from your TV, even if that means the campground is on a paved road 20 minutes from your couch.

Cullen Powers

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