Pikes Peak State Park, Iowa
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Before we even get started: no, this is not the Pikes Peak in Colorado. It is, however, named after the same guy—Zebulon Pike. The area was originally selected by Pike as a prime spot for a fort due to its height and incredible views across where the Upper Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers merge. In the end a fort wasn’t built on the site (that went to Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin), but it’s still marked as a beautiful location.
The area became Pikes Peak State Park and is centered around a 500-foot bluff that overlooks the two rivers mentioned above. It’s long been a part of American history, and before that, Native Americans called the place home for hundreds of years. There’s a lot to see in the area, and it’s a prime spot for campers to bring their RVers—so it’s perfect for an RV vacation.
With more than 19 miles of hiking trails and many scenic overlooks along the way, Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa is a hiker’s paradise. These trails pass many kinds of sights along the way, making for hikes that are interesting from start to finish, and ever changing. These trails range from easy to strenuous.
Wooded bluffs, deep valleys, prairie, oak savannah, impressively sheer cliffs of limestone, and more line these trails. In the limestone, you’ll see fossils from ancient shelled ocean creatures that once lived in the ocean where Iowa now sits. Two trails that come highly recommended are Bridal Veil Falls trail where you’ll see a freshwater spring and Horn Hollow Trail.
Point Ann is the more famous bluff. Specifically, this is the one where you can see the Mississippi River. It’s a four-mile trip and also a strenuous climb, but the reward at the top is worth the effort. Especially when you imagine Zebulon Pike standing in the same spot, hundreds of years ago looking out at the same area. The town below, McGregor, is named for the man who founded it in 1837.
The eight-mile round-trip hike can take a while, and during the summer it’s smart to bring along water and bug spray. There are ways to shorten it, if you’re just passing through, by parking at either the McGregor or Homestead parking lots. This is particularly convenient if you aren’t planning to camp inside the park.
There’s something special about dining with a view. A picnic is also a pretty romantic idea too, sombining the two inside this park makes enjoying a nice picnic an obvious choice. You can obviously take a picnic blanket and basket and enjoy one anywhere in the park, or there are numerous shelters that are perfect for picnicking, complete with tables.
At the main picnic and shelter area, there’s a gorgeous rustic stone shelter with picnic tables that also have a perfect view looking out on the valley below. In the same area, there are two open air gazebos. There’s also a playground here. Picnicking is a great opportunity to take advantage of your rental RV’s kitchen—just prep the meal and throw it in a basket.
The ups and downs in the park make for excellent mountain biking. Fortunately, there are several sections of the trails in the park that are also open to mountain biking. In particular, the trail system between Homestead and McGregor parking lots is open.
Most of the trail is shaded, but it’s a good idea to bring along several bottles of water when you’re biking in the area, as it can get humid. Because the park can be busy at times, always make sure you’re not out of control when mountain biking.
Long before the area was explored by Europeans and early settlers of the United States, the area was occupied by Native Americans. They used what is now the park for several purposes, including as a place for mounds. There are 63 in the park, some of which are effigy mounds.
Effigy mounds are piles of earth built to look like animals. It’s one way that Native Americans helped celebrate their oneness with nature. Some are shaped as birds and bears. These are unique archaeological sites and a great way to learn about the long history of the area.
Staying inside Pikes Peak State Park comes as an ideal choice if you’re planning to take advantage of the park’s numerous recreational activities. There are 50 total sites, most of which have electric hookups while one has full hookups. There are additional sites without hookups, if you’d like to try your hand at dry camping. There’s a small store inside the park that offers concessions and some camping necessities. This campground does fill up quickly, though, so registering in advance is a good idea.
Almost more of a home away from home than a campground, Deer Run Resort allows you to enjoy full hookups to take advantage of everything your RV offers. There’s a picnic table and fire ring at each site to enjoy campground-style cooking and eating. A shower facility offers clean bathrooms, showers, and laundry. And, there’s a storm shelter because this is Iowa. You can also enjoy a five-acre lake that’s great for fishing.
How could you not enjoy a campground called Spook Cave? There’s nothing terribly scary about the area. Rather, it’s named for a cave that’s on the site—and there are even tours you can take of it. The campground here offers sites with full hookups and those with just water and electric. You can both swim and fish in the lake onsite, and the Bloody Run Trout Stream is fully stocked by the state and offers excellent fishing.
On the Mississippi River, there’s the Great River Road, and just off that you’ll find the Great River Road Campground. A peaceful spot that’s tucked away from other people, there are full RV hookups available, as well as a playground for the kids. You can jog along the riverbank, which is only two blocks away.
On the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River, you’ll find the Wisconsin Ridge Campground. There are 25 spots in the campground that offer electric as well as showers and a dump station. Firewood is for sale inside the park, and there are laundromats nearby in Prairie du Chien. They accept reservations, and if you’re hoping for a spot with electricity, it’s a good idea to book one.
There aren’t any restaurants inside the park, but the camp store does offer a few types of snacks for dining. Otherwise, consider this the perfect opportunity to take advantage of your RV’s pantry, refrigerator, and kitchen by whipping up a meal of your own.
In McGregor, Iowa, you’ll find several small, fun restaurants. These diner-style places offer great burgers and fries, plus a “saloon” like atmosphere. You’ll also find lots of places with great views of the river, and food like brats, fried chicken, and pasta. Across the river in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, you’ll find a few more options in the larger town. More diners serve up tasty breakfasts which are perfect before an all-day hike. Plus, you can find donut shops and cafés all around.
Both McGregor, Iowa, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, are quaint river towns that offer the fun kind of restaurants that small towns often do. Enjoy the camping, and then enjoy a delicious meal in one of these great small towns.