4 Beautiful Places To Hike In Iowa’s Loess Hills

The Loess Hills Scenic Byway in Western Iowa is a beautiful drive, especially in the fall. I recommend getting out of the car, though, and trying a hike in the Loess Hills. There are several parks to explore, each with kid-friendly trails I can vouch for. Here are a few trails through the Loess Hills I recommend, and each are less than two hours from Omaha.

UPDATE: This post was first published in 2016 and updated in September 2026 to mention new trail recommendations and links.

Iowa Parks With Loess Hills Trails

Below you’ll find parks to visit, each with trails to hike that are suitable for families (some trails are longer than others, so grab a map before setting out). These trails are in Western Iowa, and most can be found near the Loess Hills Scenic Byway. My family has driven most of the byway and have some recommended stops on the route.

Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek, Iowa

Distance from Omaha: 20 miles

We’re regulars here, enjoying all four seasons. OK, let’s be honest, I avoid parks in the winter…but most of the year, you can find my family at Hitchcock Nature Center. (You don’t have to avoid the park in the winter. You can check out snowshoes at the visitor center so it’s not an absolute miserable hike).

Trails here vary in degrees of difficulty, but we have yet to find one we can’t manage with our kids, who’ve hiked here with us since they were 2. Just know that when the map says a trail is difficult, it IS difficult. Some of the inclines are steep, but they’re at least short.

There is a barrier-free trail into the woods, making this park wheel-chair accessible. Camping is available and there are a few cabins.

Be sure to check out the nature center and lookout tower. The nature center has hands on displays and interactive areas, plus you can check out a nature backpack for free. These backpacks have helpful tools for kids to further enjoy a hike. There is a modern playground inside Hitchcock. There are some hike-in camping spots as well as a few cabins.

Tip: Hitchcock is located in the flight path of raptors, so the lookout tower is a prime spot to look for the large birds.

Waubonsie State Park, Therman, Iowa

Distance from Omaha: 52 miles

Waubonsie State Park is located close to the border of Iowa and Missouri. The southwestern Iowa state park is a bit of a hidden gem, in my opinion. Few people in Omaha seem to know about it, but they should. The park has eight cabins, plus campgrounds.

My son and I made the trek to Waubonsie State Park early one summer and discovered that the park had trails are similar to Hitchcock Nature Center, but with fewer hikers on the trails! The park supposedly has a playground, though I couldn’t find it when we were there.

Preparation Canyon State Park, Pisgah, Iowa

Distance from Omaha: 60 miles

We ventured here without a map and without a clue. My son was really psyched to see a canyon, and even without much knowledge of the area, I knew he’d be disappointed. I know in his mind he was picturing the Grand Canyon. Grand, this canyon is not. But it’s a great spot for hiking. My photos do not do it justice.

We picked a trail from a picnic shelter, venturing down a steep slope to a lagoon. It was rough going back up, but our children and dog managed just fine. We hiked in the spring and a large portion of the trail was underwater, so beware.

The highlight was actually outside of the main park area. There’s a great scenic lookout point with a view of the Loess Hills Forest. Follow the signs on the road. It’s definitely worth the drive. The lookout had a large deck offering a beautiful view of the Loess Hills. A well-worn trail leads you along one ridge. There are a handful of hike-in campsites, and a nature study area is located in the eastern area of the park. It’s the most remote park on this list.

Stone State Park, Sioux City, Iowa

Distance from Omaha: 110 miles

This state park is located within city limits of Sioux City, but it feels very much removed from city life. We visited on a winter day one year and on a spring day another. Both times we took short trails from the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center to a lookout. One of the main reasons we head to that area is the outdoor playscape. The kids love it.

Time your visit well so you can peek inside the nature center. This one also has hands-on exhibits for children and a 400-gallon aquarium with native fish. There are more than two-dozen campsites as well as cabins with AC/heat (but no bathrooms).