Most scenic places in Iowa

[TweetieMarie]

Oh my fenixinjuly, I hope you can still use this information. Please try to come to SW Iowa on the Missouri River. We have the Loess Hills which are absolutely beautiful (especially in the Spring)! We have lots of RR tracks, railroad trestles, & old barns. We even have an old RR trestle draw bridge that is not being used any more, but is still there & interesting. AND spring planting is about to begin! We also have some very unique (to this area) edible mushrooms called Morels that are just starting to pop & only last about 3 weeks if we are lucky! Email me if you need any more info & good luck with your project!

Tweetie

Originally Posted by fenixinjuly

Greetings everyone.

I am a second-year art student at the University of Iowa with a passion for photography. As, I'm originally from the West Coast and not familiar with the local landscape, I am very interested in hearing what other have to say about what they think are some of the most scenic parts of the state. I'm looking for suggestions specific to natural geography and geography that includes manicured rolling fields. Additionally, I'm would love to photograph beautiful old barns, bridges and railroad tracks. Basically, anything that would look captivating in a black and white photo. Appreciate any help!

[dabsh]

The most beautiful place in Iowa is, the north east corner of Big Spirit Lake next to the sunset bay condos!!

[patmc]

They're doing a vote/poll for the 7 Wonders of Iowa at http://www.glurb.com/local/showthread.php?t=159.

I second the vote for the Ledges Park.

[patmc]

I'd have to say the entire state becomes beautiful when Autumn rolls around. I love it when the green fields turn a shade of bronze and the trees display their fall colors.

[SharpHawkeye]

Originally Posted by fenixinjuly

Greetings everyone.

I am a second-year art student at the University of Iowa with a passion for photography. As, I'm originally from the West Coast and not familiar with the local landscape, I am very interested in hearing what other have to say about what they think are some of the most scenic parts of the state. I'm looking for suggestions specific to natural geography and geography that includes manicured rolling fields. Additionally, I'm would love to photograph beautiful old barns, bridges and railroad tracks. Basically, anything that would look captivating in a black and white photo. Appreciate any help!

Based on what you're after, you may want to try venturing south of Iowa City. The farther south you get from IC, the deeper you go into "old rural Iowa". It's a more impoverished area--many places never quite recovered from the Farm Crisis, so there is a lot of things in varying states of "decay".

You also might want to check out Van Buren County. It's the only county in Iowa without a stoplight!

[Plains10]

The most scenic part of Iowa is the northeast corner. I like the driftless area known as "bluff country." This extends into southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin as well. Their are nice hilly areas near the Mississippi River that I like as well.

[Mathguy]

I grew up in Morrison Illinois, about 15 miles east of Clinton Iowa and have been all over that area and still go back to see family.

One of my personal favorites is Eagle Point park on the north side of Clinton....overlooking lock and damn #13. 2 winters ago I saw probably 400-500 eagles in a single viewing there....it's also beautiful in the summer.

Anywhere along the river road as previously mentioned is really nice....it made a scenic drives list in National Geographic Traveler magazine.

The Iowa side across the river from Pallisades state park in IL might get you some good photos (this would be just across the river from Savanna and a little north)